For the past four years, the class of 2013 has been immersed in the true college life. From hard, rigorous academic work to the big night life, it’s all about to change for the seniors because they are less than 30 days away from the big g-word: GRADUATION! The University in itself is like a subdivision of the real world. It’s like “pretend real world”. Everyday you’re exposed to new people, have to go to class, and do work. The beauty of the University is that all of this takes place in one spot! Classes, restaurants, work, and friends are all accessible and only a walk away on a college campus. It’s time for change. Now, it is time to go separate ways and venture off into the real world. It’s time to either continue an education at graduate school or find a job. Mommy and Daddy won’t be there to give you money any longer. What does 2013 have in store for it’s newest college graduates?
The 2013 class will have to start from the bottom. According to Labor Department data, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates between the ages of 21 to 24 has averaged 8.8 percent over the last year. The unemployment rate is 18.3 percent including young graduates who are working part-time for economic reasons and those who have stopped looking for jobs in the last year. Although the job market has improved during the past few years, these rates remain higher than pre-recession levels.
The Wall Street Journal’s news for college-educated millennials was not good. The report is distressing news to the coming class of 2013. A Center for College Affordability and Productivity report found that 48 percent of recent graduates work jobs that don’t require their college diplomas. Also, 38 percent of recent graduates work jobs that don’t require high school diplomas.
This all sounds extremely scary for the class of 2013, but this doesn’t faze some of the women at the University of Illinois. Many students said they started off early their sophomore and junior years to land internships and gain lots of experience. They’ve expanded their network of people. The future looks bright for Gaby Sahagan, senior in the Applied Heath and Sciences College. Once Gaby graduates she will pursue her Masters in Public Health at DePaul University in Chicago. In addition, she will also be working full-time at United Allergy Services, where she will be doing healthcare administration and testing patients for different types of allergies.
Gaby said, “I love U of I and I am sad to know I will be leaving soon, but it’s time for something new! I’m excited to be able to start something new in Chicago!”