| Outlook
for 2005 is better than the past few years, but grads should focus
on transferable skills
SAN FRANCISCO, May 12, 2005 -- San Francisco State University
offers experts on the job outlook for new college graduates. See below
for faculty and staff who can provide trend analyses, expert strategies
and comments on career prospects for the class of 2005.
For additional
assistance in locating an expert, call the SFSU Office of Public Affairs & Publications
at (415) 338-1665 or visit: www.sfsu.edu/~news/byname.htm.
Jack Brewer, director, Career Center
Brewer leads the University's Career Center, responsible for providing
employment assistance and career counseling for SFSU's nearly 30,000
students. He has 25 years experience as a career services professional.
The Career Center is also the recipient of the 2005 California Career
Education Association Presidential Award for best outstanding career
education program.
Contact Brewer at:
Office Phone: 415/338-2526
E-mail: jabrewer@sfsu.edu
"According to a recent survey of employers recruiting on college
campuses [by the National Association of Colleges and Employers], new
college graduates have reason to be optimistic about their job prospects.
Overall, employers expect their college hiring to surpass last year's
by 13 percent," Brewer said. "Another sign of an improving
job market is the continued rise, of 7 to 10 percent, in entry-level
salaries.
"Given
the positive hiring projections, it's not surprising that more than
75 percent of
employers reported that competition for
hiring new college graduates has increased over the last year. Students
who have gained valuable transferable skills through part-time work and
volunteering, have completed an internship, or were active in student
organizations will be very competitive in the improving job market."
Robert C. Chope, professor of counseling and coordinator of the Career
Counseling Program
Chope is a psychologist and career counselor who specializes in the emotional
aspects of the career search and new strategies for discouraged job seekers
in the "jobless recovery." Founder of the Career and Personal
Development Institute in San Francisco, he has served as a career psychologist
and consultant for 25 years.
Contact Chope at:
Office Phone: 415/338-1496
Alternate Phone: 415/982-2636 Ext. 1
E-mail: rcchope@sfsu.edu
"Graduates
should surround themselves with people who help them gain confidence
and with whom they can bounce ideas around. If they can't find
a full-time job, they should create a portfolio of part-time jobs that
provide good contacts and good skills-based training. Above all, they
should market themselves with candor and refrain from ever killing
their best
ideas. If all else fails, new grads should stay busy by volunteering
once a week to increase their network aggressively and to enrich themselves."
Victor Cordell, director of graduate programs, College of Business
Cordell oversees the College of Business's MBA, accelerated MBA
and MSBA programs. He has more than 10 years experience in the development
of MBA and international business programs. Prior to entering the academic
world, he worked for 14 years in international banking.
Contact Cordell at:
Office Phone: 415/405-3678
E-mail: vcordell@sfsu.edu
"The Bay Area suffered a great drop in demand for MBAs starting
in 2001 but the market is more buoyant now. 2004 was a good year, and
2005 is expected to be better," Cordell said. "It is more
difficult for international students to get jobs, but those with good
technical and language skills are valued.
"Recruiters
are talking up soft skills such as teamwork and cross-cultural skills.
SFSU's College
of Business excels in the latter given our
highly international and multiethnic student population, along with strong
curricula in international business and organizational behavior. Nonetheless,
the biggest demand appears to be in finance, accounting and consulting
-- largely driven by recent corporate scandals and the burdens of complying
with
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act."
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