During a year that has seen the loss of millions of jobs nationwide, the senior class has attained mixed results in its job search. While some have found positions, others have taken alternative career paths, or still continue to search for jobs as graduation approaches.
Although some senior job hunters have found employment, they have had to contend with the effects of this sour economy. Career Planning Center (CPC) Director Tim Diehl said that seniors are "getting jobs later than they might have expected... It seems that a lot have landed jobs in the last month who might have otherwise gotten them in the fall."
Bowdoin's liberal arts curriculum has helped the Class of 2009 as a whole to weather this financial storm. The wide range of interests held by students here, as well as the diversity of academic specialties that they claim, mean that the shift in jobs away from a particular sector will not adversely affect the job search of an entire class of students.
Diehl recognizes the value of Bowdoin's academic diversity and seeks to leverage that fact as he guides student job searches.
"In this market, it is essential that applicants consider many different positions that leverage the skills they might have," he said.
That is what Ian Yaffe '09 has done over the past year. Currently a candidate for the United States Coast Guard Officer Training School (OTS), Yaffe said that a career as a Coast Guard officer "is the only job that combines all of the interests that I have. I would be working on the water in public safety and possibly also combining my Latin American Studies background."
As he focused in on a career in the Coast Guard, Yaffe reports using few traditional Bowdoin career resources. His assistance from the College community remained more informal, and occurred as he liaised with Associate Director of Bowdoin Security and Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Carol McAllister. Although this career counseling did not mirror the typical experience of Bowdoin seniors, Yaffe said, "I am happy with it that way."
Interactions like Yaffe'scan lead to a successful job search in this economic climate. Diehl reports that CPC staff have encouraged "aggressive networking" to increase applicants' chances of success. He emphasized the importance of social networking tools such as LinkedIn and the Bowdoin Career Advisory Network in this process.
"It is absolutely critical to expand your networking beyond your first-degree contacts," he said.
The CPC's emphasis on networking has seen some positive results this year, even yielding jobs for a few students looking for work in the beleaguered financial services sector.
Economics major Jasmine Qu '09 landed a three-year contract with a Boston economic consulting firm. Qu stated that her job search was "much more difficult" given that "the traditional career path for economics students has a lot fewer jobs and [getting them] has become a lot more competitive."
Bowdoin career resources aided Qu as she sought a position.
"I found my job through the CPC; they have been really aggressive in networking and creating job opportunities for Bowdoin students," she said.
Indeed, Qu's job search went even more smoothly than that of most Bowdoin students. Instead of waiting for results into the spring, she received an offer before Thanksgiving and "did not have the bitterness of job hunting" experienced by many of her classmates, she said.
For many, that job hunt still continues. Senior Claire Lewkowicz said she is searching for "work in Boston doing biomedical or clinical research, at least for two years." After her initial work experience, Lewkowicz plans to pursue graduate studies. Unlike for Qu, potential employers have not yet made Lewkowicz a final offer of employment. This situation has more to do with the nature of her search than with unfavorable economic conditions.
"For research positions, the hiring process happens a lot later than in the financial or marketing world, so I guess it leaves that uncertainty a little longer," Lewkowicz said.
Despite efforts made by the CPC and students, the recessionary climate has yielded no job results for some seniors. Nick Peddle '09 finds himself in this position even though he actively sought a position and utilized CPC resources as he searched for a job. Like many of his classmates, Peddle stated that he searched for "some finance and consulting job when [he] came to campus in the fall." Just as he was doing so, however, those industries began to cut back on their available positions.
Even if a couple of spaces were available, as Qu's experience suggests, Peddle said, "There are definitely fewer jobs." This situation has spawned a feeling of discontent not only for Peddle, but also for many of his classmates whose job searches have been slower than usual or ultimately unsuccessful.
After discussing the situation with several friends, Peddle said, "It has been frustrating for everyone that I've spoken to."