According to reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, almost half of recent college grads were underemployed by the end of 2012. Business graduates are among the group of students who are struggling to find jobs—especially jobs that utilize their degrees. In part, the struggle of recent business graduates simply mirrors overall economic issues, but grads can take measures to enhance their chances of gaining viable employment.
The same report that states 44 percent of recent college grads are underemployed also compared employment situations for recent grads with numbers for both all adult workers and all college grads. Employment numbers for recent grads trend along the same curves as other groups, making it apparent that business graduates are struggling to find employment because everyone else is. In such markets, graduates may need to widen the scope of their job searches and be willing to take lower-paying jobs to get a foot in the door. According to surveys and industry experts, most business graduates will eventually make it into business management or other positions that use their degrees, but it may require hard work and patience.
Business graduates who can present a full package of both hard and soft skills may land a job immediately after college. According to research conducted by the Associated Press, businesses are looking for employees who can communicate, work in a team, and hold up under pressure. Some companies are putting candidates through role-playing exercises to gauge soft skills; other organizations are relying on known quantities and hiring primarily from interns or part-time employees. Whether you're working on a bachelor's degree or an MBA, it might be a good idea to check out local work-study and internship programs so that you can begin to impress future bosses.
An MBA—or any other credential—is no longer a guarantee that you'll find employment within your desired niche. The competitive job market means students need to pay more attention to how education costs stack up to future benefits; college degrees are still important, but you may need to work hard to capitalize on your education. Be aware of employment-related opportunities before you graduate. In addition to internships, you can compete in contests, attend workshops, and take part in industry events. Getting to know business professionals before and after you graduate allows you to call on a network of associates when you look for a job.
With so many business graduates coming out of universities nationwide, you can expect to face competition for available jobs. Get involved with the business community, make sure your soft skills show up to prospective employers, and don't be afraid to add specialty skills to your toolbox.
(Photo courtesy of t0zz / freedigtialphotos.net)
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