May 19, 2009

TWIN TIERS--  This spring, thousands of college students around the Twin Tiers are getting their degrees and hitting the pavement to search for jobs.

   But college grads are facing the worst job market in almost 50 years.  Elmira College senior Glennys Flaitz began an aggressive job search last fall.  A business marketing and advertising major, she was confident she could find a job in the advertising field by graduation, mabye sooner.  The economy however, isn't cooperating with her plans.     

   For Flaitz and thousands of other graduating seniors, its been rough.  Company's are either on a hiring freeze, or just not hiring.  Glenys, unlike most of her friends, got lucky.  She recently turned a summer internship into a job as a sales analyst. And while it's not exactly her dream career, in this economy, she's not complaining.      

   Elmira College junior Marissa Piccirilli agrees.  She just started her job search and it's not looking good. A double major in psychology and english, she would love to find a job in journalism.  But at this point is considering grad school or the Peace Corps. 

   That's a silver lining.  Doug Couchon, the Director of Counseling and Career Services at EC says creative grads can flex their entrepreneurial spirit or get out, travel, and see the world.    

   That's an upside in a down job market.  A small relief for Glennys, Marisssa, and the thousands of other college students out there like them.    

   Elmira College is also seeing more students than ever apply to grad school this year.  School officials estimate about 50% of the senior class applied.