Meagan Eng Jour 107 & 108 '09

Nancy Markee, Director of the Academic Advising Center said, “It’s probably more difficult for a recent grad to get a job than it has been in the past.”

Graduation is right around the corner and students at the University of Nevada, Reno fear about getting a job in their field.

Jessica Cate, a biology and nutrition major, graduates in spring 2010. Her plans after graduation include graduate school and pharmacy school.

“I am going into this field because of the high demand,” Cate said. “I feel very good about trying to get a job.”

Cate works at the UNR campus pharmacy and believes that having this job will help her in the long run.

Kosh Bhakta, information systems major, graduates in spring 2010, also feels prepared for the work world. He works at Game Tech International where he does things that pertain to his major everyday.

“After graduation I plan on still being at my job I have now,” Bhokta said. “I will just go from part-time to full-time and get more responsibilities.”

Nancy Markee, Director of the Academic Advising Center thinks it is very important to work for a company that is in your field when you are still attending school.

“They get to see what kind of skills and work ethic a person has without having to make a long term commitment,” Markee said. “Many employers are very hesitant to hire anyone who has no work experience.”

Getting a job in a student’s field of study before graduation helps a lot but not everyone is as fortunate. Some students at UNR that have graduated are not as lucky.

Megan Lewis, a journalism major, graduated last fall, had a hard time finding a job. After graduation she looked for a job in her field but there were just not many opportunities.

“I looked for a job in public relations a lot right after I graduated,” Lewis said. “ I still am looking for a job that is in my field, but for now I am working at Wel Fargo because I need the money.”

Adrian Cardona, an electrical engineering major, is setting himself on a different track. He still has two and a half years left till he graduates but is taking a break from school to work.

He works in retail now but hopes for a job that is in the engineering field.

“I would rather learn as I go,” Cardona said. “If I get a job in my field then I will plan on going back so I can do both at the same time.”

Many students before, after the leave school all take a different approach on their jobs.

Sara Miller, a journalism major, graduated last fall. She works as a staff assistant to the Senator. Harry Reid in Washington, D.C. Her job now consists of secretarial work, not journalism.

“I was an intern for six months with Reid after graduation,” Miller said. “I was then hired on as a staff assistant in the senator’s personal office in June. What I am doing now is not relevant to my major, I do not do any writing or anything related to journalism.”

 First two pictues supplied by Megan Lewis and Sara Miller

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