John Milner, a senior general business major, said he doesn’t have a job lined up for when he graduates next spring, but he knows what he’ll need.
“Right after college, it’s about the money,” Milner said.
Milner said after graduating, he expects to get a spring internship with the Orlando Predators, a local football team. The team folded in August, but it’s expected to come back next year as a different arena league.
“I’ll just take anything after I graduate,” Milner said. “I would definitely move if a job opened up.”
Milner will not be alone if he decides to move out of Florida. He will join a migration out of Florida that has increased because of the state’s high unemployment rate.
A recent report from the Pew Center on the States announced that, for the first time since World War II, the population of Florida is shrinking. From April 2008 to April 2009, Florida’s population shrank by 58,000.
Florida’s unemployment rose to 11.2 percent in October, compared to the national unemployment rate of 10.2 percent, according to the Department of Labor’s Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary report.
Sean Snaith, economist and director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at UCF, said new graduates will be facing a difficult labor market.
“The recession is over, but unemployment is going to get worse before it gets better,” Snaith said.
Graduates can expect longer search time for jobs and should broaden their prospects and possibly work in other parts of the state or country, Snaith said.
In October, the largest job losses over the month were in construction, manufacturing and retail, but the health sector is continuing to add jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Snaith said graduates looking for jobs must be prepared to work overtime and do more work.
“There are more people competing for jobs; make sure you stand out and work on your resume,” Snaith said. “Make sure you have done all you can do.”
Lynn Hansen, executive director of Career Services at UCF, said new graduates should make themselves marketable. They can do this by gaining experience in their desired field through an internship or co-op work.
“You have to show employers why you’re the best candidate,” Hansen said.
Career Services holds several workshops throughout the year to help students prepare for interviews, work on their resumes and build relationships with employers, Hansen said.
Employers are looking for well-rounded employees, and they’re going online to Web sites such as Facebook to check on prospective employees, Hansen said.
“Students need to make sure information posted online is information they wouldn’t be embarrassed by or don’t want an expectant employer to see,” Hansen said. “Reputation is a fragile thing.”
Hansen said now is a good time to consider graduate school and to network by joining a club on campus, volunteering or joining any group that will help acquire new skills.
Like Hansen, Milner said he also believes networking is important.
“Try to meet all the people you can,” Milner said. “It’s all about who you know.”
Milner said, after graduating, he would like to travel, and maybe get a master’s degree in business administration and have his own company.
He said he’s aware that people are leaving Florida and doesn’t blame them. Milner hopes to find a job in Florida and believes his work ethic gives him an edge over others.
“I’m kind of a perfectionist,” Milner said.
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