There are currently over 7 million people without jobs in the United States, and college students are feeling the heat.
This country has recently seen a shift in the job market, and doors are closing in the face of so many eager or experienced applicants. Several campus programs are offering hope to students by providing resources to support their job searches.
In the midst of escalating prices, such as food that has increased by 2.2% and a 15.9% increase for energy in San Diego alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college students are under pressure to not only juggle tuition, but also the rising cost of living.
While many attend college with the hope of entering the workforce after graduating with a degree or credentials, students are entering the workforce early to cover expenses while still in school.
Genesis Arias, 19, who has been looking for work in her second year at Grossmont College, said: “Everyone wants a degree. I can’t find anyone that wants entry-level.”
For students, unemployment is not due to a lack of motivation. Arias initially applied for a campus job but was informed she needed to complete a work-study program, which is offered by the Financial Aid Office. This provides students with hands-on experience in a particular field.
Arias, a media communications major, applied for a work-study position as an event support in the Performing & Visual Arts Center in January. Coming into April, she has officially been prepared for the role and completed clearance, yet has not been scheduled to work.
Regarding this campus opportunity, Arias said: “It was easy, it was accessible. I wouldn’t have to drive so far. It would benefit me in every way, but then I just don’t have it.”
Outside of the work-study program, Grossmont College also has a Career Service Center where students can be assisted by specialists in polishing their resumes, learning essential skills and networking.
Veronica Middlebrook, a Work-Based Specialist at the Career Center, said, “We’ve had a number of students who’ve been positively impacted by our services.” Middlebrook added that some students “were able to obtain part-time work experiences based off of getting prepared with us.”
In this current stage of occupational and economic uncertainty, Middlebrook advocated for diligence in the face of rejection and treating each application or interview as a learning opportunity.
With the onset of AI systems, even employers have started to incorporate these programs into the hiring process, and Middlebrook said if a resume or application lacks keywords, then “that system will get it out before it even actually gets to a person. So it might be that you’re up against a bot.”
Altina Jones, a dance major at Grossmont who is also looking for work, criticized the job market for being unprofessional and correlated AI with the degradation of standards by employers. She said, “If I have a robot screening my application, I’m not gonna get a kind of human response that would be appropriate.”
On this topic, Middlebrook said: “The way we help students is to help you get through those systems and really understand what it means to job search effectively and efficiently.”
However, AI is not the only obstacle for job seekers. There is a trend of poor communication. “I don’t think I’ve gotten any sort of denials, but I’ve also not gotten any sort of acceptances,” Jones said. “And so, it’s been stagnant.”
Jones shared that one of her friends was employed, but he was effectively terminated when he stopped receiving scheduled hours without any advance notice.
Arisa said that she has noticed a trend of conflicts in employment due to the commute and the difficulty of fitting work hours into a week full of classes.
“There are some companies who do go through hiring freezes where they might not be able to hire people at the moment. So, you know, we are in an interesting economy,” Middlebrook said. “And so, I always tell students to maybe even keep an entrepreneurial mindset to stay resilient.”
Career Services Supervisor Renee Nasori said, “I think the job market is honestly strong right now.”
Nasori said she has noticed a wide range of industries and activities on job boards, from both applicants and employers. She encouraged students to take advantage of the available assistance.
“I think the resources, the support services that are offered today, are on another scale,” said Nasori, who is a former Grossmont College graduate. “We have solid partnerships, inviting employers on campus, which we never had before.”
Middlebrook said: “We partner with local employers to be able to ask them what they are looking for in students. And so, what we do, we prepare you guys.”
As a student still on the hunt for work, Arias said she is determined to keep searching and not be disheartened by the bumps in the road. Arias had shaky first few interview tries, but is using the experience to improve.
“Use this as a matter of getting yourself used to it,” she said. “You have to believe that you belong there. The opportunity came to you, take advantage of the opportunity.”
This is the attitude of proactive perseverance that specialists at the Career Center champion. Nasori invited students to participate in the Career Services Department because “the more you can prepare ahead of time and practice, the stronger you’ll be at interviewing.”
Students can download the Handshake app to set up appointments to meet with counselors, attend workshops that go over workplace preparation, and find a route to establish a footing in a desired career field.
