It’s time to celebrate milestone in students’ lives

By Sunday, all members of the class of 2009 from universities, colleges and high school seniors in the Pee Dee will have graduated.
It’s a time for them, along with their family and friends, to celebrate this important milestone.
All graduates should be proud of their accomplishments — including earning scholarships or other scholastic honors — in reaching this goal.
They also should remember their hard work doesn’t end here.
While many high school graduates will spend their summer preparing for college and some undergraduates will pursue graduate school education, it’s expected the majority will be entering a shaky job market.
The efforts that led these graduates to this point are good practice for what they’re about to face in the world outside academia, where jobs aren’t guaranteed and the sense of loyalty that once existed between workers and their employers has all but vanished. In April, in fact, the state broke a 26-year-old record with its unemployment rate climbing to 11.5 percent.
Recent graduates will be competing with the victims of the recession — many of whom have much more experience in the work force — to find a job, especially a good paying job. And those heading off to college or graduate school likely will be postponing this same reality.
In March, the National Association of Colleges and Employers predicted employers would be likely to hire 22 percent fewer 2009 college graduates than from the class of 2008. The report also said 91 percent of the employers contacted decreased their planned number of college hires.
According to a separate report by the association, less than 20 percent of 2009 graduates who have applied for a job will have one ready by graduation, compared with 51 percent in 2007 and 26 percent in 2008.
So what’s a graduate to do? The same as anyone else looking to enter or re-enter the work force: be tenacious, creative and patient.
Keith Lucas, an area director with the Employment Security Commission, said he and his staff advise anyone not working right now to intensify his or her job search. Sam McClary, a labor market research analyst with the commission, said folks looking for a job should also to be willing to change occupations or relocate.
“You just can’t give up; you have to be aggressive in your search,” McClary said.
At some point, the economy will stabilize and employment opportunities will emerge. They key is to be ready for when they do.
Congratulations, graduates, and best of luck to you.
We — in the Pee Dee and beyond — will be depending in no small measure on your continued success.