Recent College Grads On The Hunt For Jobs
BALTIMORE (WJZ) – The job market is tight, student loans are high and graduation is near. That's the dilemma many college graduates face this year.
But as Gigi Barnett explains, the class of 2011 may discover those hard-to-find jobs are right here in Maryland.
It's graduation day for Loyola University's Class of 2011; 1,700 former students are now work-force ready.
"I'm going to be an inventory analyst for Stanley, Black and Decker here in Baltimore," said graduate Robert Zappala.
"They gave me a scholarship, and I said 'I'll go back for another year.' Beats getting a job," said another graduate, Kyle Wittman.
But for some, the search for "what's next" is still on.
"I'm waiting to hear back from several jobs. So, by the time my internship is over, I'll come home and I'll be good to go," said graduate Maya Wright.
After the pomp and circumstance, the job market isn't exactly calling.
"Jobs are very hard to get for college graduates. It has been for the last several years, and it looks like it's going to continue to be tough for this year's graduating class," said economist Morris Segal.
With hefty student loans looming, many grads, according to a new study -- 85 percent -- are forced to live on their parents' dime again.
"They're moving back home in order to exist and save expenses," said Segal.
Some graduates may luck out if they stay in Maryland.
The state's new employment numbers show businesses added more than 11,000 jobs last month. That kind of job growth is triple the national average.
"People are starting to get it. It's definitely getting better," one graduate said.
Another group that's optimistic about the job market: colleges and universities. They're seeing uptick in the number of companies visiting campuses looking to hire.
Loyola University says a record 130 businesses visited a recent career fair it hosted. That's up from 100 companies last year.
