What does it mean to thrive in the downturn? As a recent University graduate with a Liberal Arts bachelor’s degree (economics) with some quantitative touches (math and statistics minor) this question is foremost in my mind. I’ll be looking for a way to earn income by the first of July and I fear the prospects aren’t very good. I have strong ties to Missoula and am not willing to relocate. In this highly educated city finding work was challenging before the recession. According to the 2000 census 32.8% of Missoula county residents had earned Bachelor’s degrees or better. I personally know many people with master’s and doctoral degrees who were working in construction because the wages were pretty good and they could continue living the outdoor lifestyle many of us in Western Montana value. I suspect that some of these people have fallen back on their education with the slump in the housing industry.
Even with a 3% unemployment rate in 2007, high paying jobs with benefits were scarce. In Missoula county, 61% of jobs, based on the Wage and Benefit metric , a measure of job quality conducted in 2007, rated three stars. These ratings are based on qualitative measures of jobs such as full-time, health benefits, wages compared to median wages for the region and more.
Even with a 3% unemployment rate in 2007, high paying jobs with benefits were scarce. In Missoula county, 61% of jobs, based on the Wage and Benefit metric , a measure of job quality conducted in 2007, rated three stars. These ratings are based on qualitative measures of jobs such as full-time, health benefits, wages compared to median wages for the region and more.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry estimates April’s unemployment rate in Missoula at 5.8%, (April is the most recent month available on their website). While this is still much lower than the national unemployment rate, 8.9%, it is twice the rate of two years ago.
I’m looking at job listings and there’s not very much out there for me to apply to. In my economics graduation ceremony our department head, Doug Dalenberg pointed out that it may take months for us to find jobs and that we all need to be patient and persevere.
Many of us are considering weathering the economic storm for the next few years in graduate school. Among my class mates, lots of us were looking at going directly into graduate programs. But, by the basic laws of supply and demand, graduate admissions and financial support are more competitive.
The good news is there are many resources out there to help us all out. Job Services provide help for both prospective employees and employers. The University of Montana’s Career Services continues to be available to recent graduates. They offer help with resume prep and list jobs.
All in all, the theme of today’s economy is uncertainty. Niches exist and some businesses are thriving in the downturn. The real final exam for today’s grads is whether we can discover one of these niches for ourselves.
Many of us are considering weathering the economic storm for the next few years in graduate school. Among my class mates, lots of us were looking at going directly into graduate programs. But, by the basic laws of supply and demand, graduate admissions and financial support are more competitive.
The good news is there are many resources out there to help us all out. Job Services provide help for both prospective employees and employers. The University of Montana’s Career Services continues to be available to recent graduates. They offer help with resume prep and list jobs.
All in all, the theme of today’s economy is uncertainty. Niches exist and some businesses are thriving in the downturn. The real final exam for today’s grads is whether we can discover one of these niches for ourselves.
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