Fragile economy slows job-seeking process for students
By Ryan Hagen
Washington Square News (New York U.)
04/21/2003

(U-WIRE) NEW YORK &$151; Facing a job market hard-hit by the weak economy, New York University students seeking jobs are still finding work, although not as easily as in recent years.

While there are no reliable statistics on the number of New York University students currently seeking work, according to NYU's Office of Career Services many job seekers have said this year's search has been more difficult than in the past.

"It's taking longer," said Grace Choy, a Steinhardt School of Education graduate student. "It's not taking two weeks any more. It's taking three months." Choy, who works at Career Services as an office assistant, said she has seen students struggling this year to land jobs and internships.

"There have been a lot of hiring freezes in my field," said Choy, who hopes to find work as a research assistant at a nonprofit organization or think tank in New York City. "The jobs that are still out there are increasingly competitive."

Consequently, Choy said, the level of skill required for entry-level positions is on the rise.

Career Services Associate Director Lauren LeVeen dismissed rumors that this is the worst year on record for student employment. "The last two years have had some challenges," she said. "But students are finding work."

Alex Ovshey, a Stern School of Business freshman, has not been so fortunate. Ovshey said this year he sent out 50 resumes and had about four or five interviews but did not get a job. He has been searching for office work and work-study jobs, as well as internships.

"I don't necessarily blame my bad luck with university jobs on the downturn, but I think there are fewer internships around because of it," Ovshey said.

Career Services officials said they have heightened their efforts to find work for students. LeVeen said that this year the department hired four full-time staff members whose sole purpose is to develop contacts with area businesses.

"Even if that contact says, 'No, sorry, we don't have any jobs available,' we tell businesses to keep our students in mind and come back when there is something available," LeVeen said.

While students continue to use NYU's CareerNet, an online job posting service provided by Career Services, others prefer to brave the job market on their own.

Josie Boudreaux, a Gallatin School of Individualized Study junior, said she relies on friends and contacts for leads on internships. "I look through The Village Voice, Monstertrak.com," she said. "But I rely on my friends mostly."

For students considering whether to remain in New York for the summer, finding a job is often the deciding factor. "If I don't get work, I guess how long I can stay depends on how much I've saved," Choy said.

Copyright ©2003 Washington Square News via UWire

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