Graduating into the economic downturn

Mitsou recommends getting experience before graduating by finding degree-related part-time work, volunteering on or off campus, or participating in intern or co-op programs.

Markey suggests getting involved in areas outside of academics before graduation as a means of getting a step-up in the competitive job market.

“If you’re graduating this year, maybe it’s going to be tougher. But what you can do for students that are not graduating this year [is] take advantage of every work opportunity that you can as part of your program,” she says. “Should [students] be concerned? Should they be starting their job search early? Should they be taking advantage of every opportunity to meet an employer on campus? Absolutely.”

Students hoping to take advantage of internship and co-op opportunities during their academic careers may in fact benefit from the economic downturn.

“What often happens in tough economic times is that the number of positions for co-op and intern students increases,” says Markey, explaining that employers always have tasks that need to be accomplished, but during tough economic times are reluctant to commit to hiring permanent employees.

According to the Bank of Canada, the nation’s economy should recover by 2010. In the meantime, graduates shouldn’t panic.

“I think students need to pay close attention to what’s going on,” says Rodas-Wright. “But certainly we wouldn’t recommend that they jump into an employment opportunity just for the sake of having a job.”