The Career Center and Their Impact on Unemployment

The economy has taken a downfall, and although the recession has impacted people all over the country with unemployment being one of the biggest issues, the Career Center at the University of Mississippi has made significant strides in making a difference with the student’s unemployment issues at the University. The goal of the Career Center is to empower students to make informed career decisions by helping them better understand themselves and the world of work. “The Career Center has still found jobs with the economy being in the condition that it is in. Employers have still been posting jobs for students to apply,” said Susan Barclay, a career planning specialist at the Career Center. The services offered by the career center are only available to students and alumni of the university. In general, many alumni return to the career center for their services up to a year after graduation. The unemployment rate of Oxford, MS is 6.5%. http://www.simplyhired.com/ shows unemployment rates. The career center is run off of a budget. Income is generated through career fairs, through employers that want to set up tables at the career fairs, and through some government funding. The government funding is strictly for the JLD Program (Job Location and Development). This service helps students locate jobs in their specified fields or major areas of study. The jobs include full-time and part-time. Unemployment issues also stem from resumes not properly formatted for employers. The Career Center allows a resume drop off service in which students can drop off resumes and have them critiqued. The unemployment rate in Mississippi is 9.7% according to http://www.bls.gov/ . “We offer career and life planning classes. There are three sections. They cover everything to transition into the world,” said Susan Barclay. Job postings are not only locally, but also regionally and nationally. Research is made readily available to students pursuing employment or direction into career choices. “The Career Center helped me find a major that fit my personality,” said Kam Pride, a senior at Ole Miss. Assessments are offered that can help make decisions of employment and career choices. Unemployment across the United States may have taken a turn for the worst, but The Career Center is doing its’ part and making a difference in the unemployment rate in Oxford, especially at the University of Mississippi.