Spring Break
Declining job market causes problems in co-op
Naomi Parikh
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: News
The Drexel University Steinbright Career Development Center has implemented extra workshops and office hours to help its co-op students find jobs with the current state of the economy.
The final round of the co-op cycle began with 100 more students than there were at the same time last year, according to Peter Franks, executive director of the SCDC.
"We are facing the most difficult labor market in 60 years," Franks said. "The unemployment rate is the highest it's been in 60 years."
Franks said the co-op office began new workshops for students in C Round to help them find jobs and meet with their co-op coordinators. The SCDC staff extended their hours to 8 p.m. for three nights each week to meet with more students, Franks said.
"The staff here has been working really, really hard to get students placed in co-op jobs," Franks said. "We don't give up on the students as long as they don't give up on us."
Despite these new measures, students are still struggling to find co-op jobs.
Frank Walter, a sophomore finance major, was hired during A Round of the cycle, but was told on his first day that the company could only offer him an unpaid position.
"The company that hired me merged with another company, which was on a hiring freeze at the time," Walter said. "So they couldn't offer me a full-time job anymore, just 20 hours a week, unpaid."
Walter is currently in C Round, trying to find another co-op job by attending workshops and Drexel's spring job fair at 30th Street Station April 8, which hosted 90 employers, according to a news release. Walter said if no jobs come through, he will have to accept the unpaid position.
Christine Cheatham, a third-year health sciences major, is also interviewing for jobs in C Round after receiving two alternates in A Round and none in B Round. Currently, Cheatham said she has two interviews lined up, but that the health sciences have a limited number of job opportunities.
"Two of the companies that I initially applied to canceled," Cheatham said. "Many of the companies I contacted independently have mentioned having to cut pre-existing jobs because of the economy and are not even considering adding co-op positions."
The final round of the co-op cycle began with 100 more students than there were at the same time last year, according to Peter Franks, executive director of the SCDC.
"We are facing the most difficult labor market in 60 years," Franks said. "The unemployment rate is the highest it's been in 60 years."
Franks said the co-op office began new workshops for students in C Round to help them find jobs and meet with their co-op coordinators. The SCDC staff extended their hours to 8 p.m. for three nights each week to meet with more students, Franks said.
"The staff here has been working really, really hard to get students placed in co-op jobs," Franks said. "We don't give up on the students as long as they don't give up on us."
Despite these new measures, students are still struggling to find co-op jobs.
Frank Walter, a sophomore finance major, was hired during A Round of the cycle, but was told on his first day that the company could only offer him an unpaid position.
"The company that hired me merged with another company, which was on a hiring freeze at the time," Walter said. "So they couldn't offer me a full-time job anymore, just 20 hours a week, unpaid."
Walter is currently in C Round, trying to find another co-op job by attending workshops and Drexel's spring job fair at 30th Street Station April 8, which hosted 90 employers, according to a news release. Walter said if no jobs come through, he will have to accept the unpaid position.
Christine Cheatham, a third-year health sciences major, is also interviewing for jobs in C Round after receiving two alternates in A Round and none in B Round. Currently, Cheatham said she has two interviews lined up, but that the health sciences have a limited number of job opportunities.
"Two of the companies that I initially applied to canceled," Cheatham said. "Many of the companies I contacted independently have mentioned having to cut pre-existing jobs because of the economy and are not even considering adding co-op positions."
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Sarah Stewart
posted 10/21/09 @ 11:03 AM EST
great artical i used it for reference
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