Most students go to college to earn a degree and then enter the professional world with newfound knowledge and skills. But the current economic status isn’t conducive to a lot of new professionals entering the workforce.
Many students will begin the daunting task of looking for a job prior to graduating.
Some students are pushing through the struggle. Unpaid internships, independent studies, volunteer work and being active club members in the USFSP community are all ways students are trying to bridge the gap between the academic world and the professional world.
For some students, the goal of establishing themselves in the workforce requires steadfast dedication. But sometimes something has to give. Emelia McNally, senior elementary education and exceptional student education major, is nervous about starting her teaching career in Florida.
“You kind of want to start where you want to be located for a while,” McNally said.
Although she loves St. Petersburg, she knows it will be difficult to find a job at an elementary school. She is considering teaching in the Northeast or the West Coast because teachers are paid “much better,” she said.
Lack of teaching experience and a master’s degree are problems that McNally foresees. She said she has been advised to work for a few years to gain experience before beginning a master’s degree in education. But “some states require a master’s degree to teach in public schools,” she said.
When McNally looks to her near future, she is willing to relocate, but only because it is “unrealistic” to raise a family on a Florida teacher’s salary.
McNally is passionate about education and loves working with children.
“I’ve always liked school. I was always willing to help with tutoring,” she said.
Bright Futures scholarship cut backs have forced students to reach deeper into the country’s loan pockets. McNally agrees with the changes becoming need-based to help students from low-income families have the opportunity for higher education. But she feels the state needs to educate people about receiving funds from Bright Futures.
Allison Nall, senior environmental science major, is passionate about conservation and leadership. Nall is the student assistant for leadership development and programming. She lives her passion and plans events for the Lead Learn Serve program and helps create and inspire more leaders on campus. She has been working with Charlie Justice, assistant director of leadership, for two-and-a-half years and helps plan the Leaderspeak events and leadership retreats.
“I like seeing people take in things and being successful and learning about themselves,” she said.
Nall believes getting a job after college is all about connections.
“It is something you have to do,” she said. Knowing the right people, and initiating conversations will only benefit the job search, Nall said.
Her passion is leadership. And though she faces her own academic struggles, she works overtime to get the grade and see her future keeps her motivated.
“If you want to reach your goals, you have to jump through the hoops,” she said.
Nall’s perspective on the unpromising economy is proactive. She knows what she needs to do, how she needs to do it and when it needs to be done. The most important factor about entering the job market is “knowing what the employer wants,” she said. “Put yourself out there and just do it. Get yourself connected to something.”
Photo by Daniel Mutter
