Unemployment
down, small businesses up
By
Karla Casillas
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Graduating students can worry less about finding a job after college this year.
In January businesses began hiring more, and the month’s unemployment
rate fell from 4.9 percent to 4.7 percent; the lowest it has been in four years.
Job growth was stronger than what the government expected, according to the
Los Angeles Times.
This means more jobs are available on all sectors of the economy.
“
It’s good news not only for graduating seniors, but for all students,” Manuel
Perez, director of the Career Development
Center, said. “There are more employment opportunities.”
Employment increased in manufacturing, health care and financial activities
according to news reports. In Southern California entertainment and construction
jobs have also increased, Perez said.
Perez said an increase in the entertainment industry does not only mean hiring
more actors and actresses. It also means hiring people to work at the studios,
writers, managers, administrators and more.
Construction is also skyrocketing according to Perez. More and more people
are coming to California and need housing.
With housing come new shopping malls and the need for more transportation,
he said. This equals more job opportunities.
Job growth is not happening with the traditional large companies like Boeing,
Hewlett-Packard or IBM, Perez said. These big companies are taking their work
overseas and hiring less in the United Stated.
Perez said many students want to work at the big companies right out of college,
but points out small- to mid- size companies are growing and hiring more. They
are privately or family owned companies. This means more job growth as more
mid-size companies start popping up.
Lisa Grobar, an economics professor at Cal State Long Beach, also said mid-size
companies have shown growth but said the big companies will increase their
hiring. She said job growth can be seen on all economic industries, not just
one section.
Grobar said a monthly unemployment rate between 4.9 percent and 4.7 percent
is “a good piece of economic news.” It means the economy is doing
well, she said.
Grobar thinks the unemployment rate will remain around 4.7 percent but said
it is not really predictable. A lot of things can happen to change the rate,
she said. Although this is good news for the economy and for job seekers, a
lower rate is not really as great as it sounds, Grobar said.
“
A lower rate is not sustainable for the economy,” she said. “Theoretically,
it can’t drop below 4.5 percent without consequences.”
To stay at the rate we are now, there would need to be 180,000 new jobs created
a month.
The rate we are now in is a good spot to be in. For historical standards it
is low. If it goes too low it is a sign of inflation, she said. Right now there
is low inflation and low unemployment.
“
[It] can’t get better than that,” Grobar said.
Although many job opportunities are out there for students, Perez said it takes
from six to nine months to get a job.
“
Start early because it’s time consuming,” he said.
If graduating in May, it is best to start your job search in the fall according
to Perez.
“
It’s like taking another course,” he said.
Many people apply for a job online and then just wait and do nothing else,
Perez said.
Students have to learn what to say, how to best present themselves, present
a good resume, cover letter and how to best
answer questions, he said.
“
It takes a lot of work and preparation to present yourself in the best way,” Perez
said.
The Career Development Center can help students be well prepared for their
job search. The center teaches students how to present themselves in the best
way possible and find a job that suits each student’s personality.
The main qualities employers are looking for are good verbal and written communication
skills, to see that they are team players and work well with others, Perez
said.
The CDC is there as you are going through the process as a resource and support
system.
“
Start coming today, not tomorrow,” Perez said.
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