You recently graduated. You’re still unemployed. You continue the job hunt. Here’s what you need to know…

The Good >> The more schooling you have, the less likely you are to be unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2009 (the most recent month of reporting available), the national unemployment rate was 10 percent for adults over 25 years of age who only had a high school diploma, but just 7.7 percent for those with an associate degree, and 4.8 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree. In other words, your degree was worth all of the effort, even if you are having trouble finding a job at the moment.

The Bad >> Less people are hiring grads this year. The survey stats are in and, yes, 2009 grads are worse off than 2008 grads when it comes to getting hired, according to the Job Outlook 2009 Spring Update survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Employers reported that they expect to hire nearly 22 percent fewer graduates from the Class of 2009 than they hired last year. Not surprisingly, the 2009 NACE Graduating Student Survey indicated that 63 percent of college seniors were worried that the economy would hurt their chances of finding a full-time job. But really — aren’t all grads worried about landing that first job? Keep at it, and eventually, it’ll happen.

The Promising >> If you do get hired, your starting salary will probably be respectable. By respectable, we mean that it won’t be too far below salary expectations. According to the Spring 2009 issue of NACE’s Salary Survey, the overall average offer to 2009 bachelor’s degree graduates stands at $48,515 – down just 2.2 percent from the average of $49,624 posted in Spring 2008.

So now you know the deal. Are you facing a tougher job market than past graduating classes? Sure. But you’re still in better shape having earned your degree. The key is to keep your options opened, remain optimistic, and find ways to set yourself apart from the job applicant pool.

** Share your job hunt story… has it been hard to find a job? Leave a comment here, or message us on twitter: @collegesurfing.

Ready for a career switch? In an uncertain job market, it’s a good idea to consider all your career options — and workers in Washington State are doing just that. According to the Workplace Confidence Survey released in April by Everest College, 57 percent of respondents said they would change careers if nothing stood in their way. And about 65 percent reported suffering from work-related stress about potential pay and job loss.

If you’ve got career-switching on the brain, set yourself apart from the competition by employing these six sure-fire career strategies.

1. Take a career aptitude test.
When you sit around thinking about what you’d like to do and what you’re good at, you may end up going in circles – especially if you’re having trouble seeing past the stress of your current career. That’s where professional services come in handy. Career aptitude tests can help you discover your interests and skills and match them to a specific career field. And you don’t have to go far to access these resources. Some of the most popular career tests are available online for free or a small fee.

2. Position yourself as an industry expert.

Once you’ve solidified a career direction, spend time researching the field. Find out what a career in the industry entails, stay abreast of the latest news in the field, and set up informational interviews with professionals in the industry. In short, make yourself as knowledgeable about the industry as possible so that, when hiring decisions are made, you will have distinguished yourself as someone in the know.

3. Showcase your strengths.
Use the knowledge gained from your research to determine your areas of strength pertaining to the field. The transferable skills you discovered during your initial career assessment will comprise a major part of your personal marketing campaign. When you can demonstrate specific ways that your personality and experience fit a job description, you will capture the attention and interest of any hiring manager.

4. Wipe out your weaknesses.
Your research may also uncover areas in which you are lacking skills or experience. Fill those gaps by taking a class, pursuing certification, or brainstorming creative ways to beef up your skills. Not only will you get yourself up to speed for the career you seek, you’ll also demonstrate proactiveness and dedication — desirable traits in any industry.

5. Infiltrate the industry.
After you’ve learned everything you can about the field from the outside, it’s time to get an inside look at daily operations in the industry. This is something you can do even while working at your current job. Find out about part-time work in the industry, or even opportunities to volunteer. The rewards may not be financial at first, but you will reap benefits in the form of relevant work experience, career confidence, and strong industry contacts.

6. Be like Gumby.
When you’re finding your way into a new career, flexibility is the watchword. In order to make a successful career switch, you may need to accept an entry-level position and a lower salary than what you’ve grown accustomed to. You may even need to relocate or commit to traveling a certain percent of the time. Analyze yourself and your current situation – if you can realistically (and cheerfully) make some concessions, you may find yourself first in line for the career of your dreams.

– Robyn Tellefsen

What do you suggest for those interested in switching career gears?

We’re officially in the time of college graduations. Speakers are getting their inspirational speeches together, while the anxious Class of ‘09 — with or without jobs — is feeling a little uneasy at the prospect of beginning their new lives.

So you’ve made it. You’re about to graduate from college. Now what? Well, here are some tips on what to do before you join the ranks of the real world. Don’t get us wrong, you probably love that lava lamp, but are you really going to keep it around after you move your tassel?

Here, Jason Ellman presents to you his Top Five List of Money Makers and Time Savers for your last few days in college…

1. Savor the last few moments you have before entering the real world!
Graduating college is a BIG deal. It’s an occasion you want to share with your friends, family, loved ones…but all those invites and thank you notes can eat up the precious little time you have left! (Not to mention the cost!) Thanks to SendOutCards.com, you can send a few hundred announcements and never have to hand address or sign a single one. The online website lets you upload your entire address book, personalize the cards, and click send. They’ll print, stuff, stamp and send your cards for you, and for CHEAP.

2. De-clutter your bookshelves.
Because textbooks are reissued in new editions frequently, the last few weeks of a semester or quarter is the best time to sell your old books and get the most value back. Bookbyte.com is easy to use and gives college students the best bang for their buck. Best part: the site pays for your shipping and ensures you receive your payment within five business days.

3. Free Airfare Miles for making the family proud.
Other than a grad check, what else can your academic transcripts get you? According to StudentScrooge.com, help with that trip to Greece (or anywhere else, for that matter). United Airlines offers graduating students a 10,000 Mileage Plus bonus, which is roughly 40% of the way to a free domestic flight. Just send in your transcript, email address, and United Mileage Plus account number, and they’ll immediately deposit the bonus miles. See United Airlines for details.

4. Retire that lava lamp.
Or any other dorm furniture that screams “undergrad.” Facebook and other social networking sites is a great way to sell your dorm furniture to underclassmen – simply utilize Facebook’s marketplace application to post your offer. Don’t forget to take advantage of status updates and designated groups to get the word out. You may just get enough cash to fund your next rite of passage into adulthood: You’re very own, personal health insurance policy, aren’t you so proud?!

5. Counteract senioritis.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend their LAST month of school sorting through a daunting pile of loose notes and indecipherable scribbling for upcoming exams. With sites like MyNoteIt.com, users can organize and share notes and study tips with fellow classmates saving tons of time. Disclaimer: MyNoteIt is merely tool created to save time and is not responsible for how ‘said’ extra time is applied, be it either constructive or destructive in nature. Enjoy!

-Jason Ellman

Jason Ellman, 26, is the co-founder of Barnett Ellman, a PR and marketing firm focused on the millennial generation. More information on Jason and his organization can be found at http://www.barnettellman.com.

Nobody wants to get laid off. And in this economy, very few will voluntarily quit their jobs. A job is financial security, a way to feed your kids and keep a roof over their heads. But what if the unthinkable happens? What would you do?

Once the fear subsides, some people are able to see unemployment as an opportunity, a chance to explore an interest they’ve never fully pursued.

A recent Boston Globe article chronicles the plight of laid-off software engineers and financial types who are taking the time to go back to school to engage their creative side and feed their soul. They are taking courses in painting and digital photography, furniture making and graphic design. They’re pursuing passions that have lain dormant through years of analyzing spreadsheets, making marketing presentations, and navigating the corporate jungle.

[Debra] Samdperil [director of continuing education at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA)] says exploring the arts helps people in career limbo whether their interest lies in the creative or business fields. “It kind of keeps things in perspective, in terms of what’s important in their lives and also gets them to think creatively about their situation,” she says. “The skills you learn in an art environment or art class are more transferable in terms of creative thinking strategies. . . . It’s not just business skills and more practical thinking. It’s how you think about your life.”

If you don’t have a vision for something you could do besides what you’re doing now, a layoff is especially frightening. But what if you allowed yourself to dream for a bit, to think of what you’d really like to do if there were no constraints? Once you have your answer, you’d be surprised how few of those constraints are real, and how many are rooted in fear.

I have a friend whose job is moving clear across the country. If he moves his family away from their home and their friends, he gets to keep his job. If he doesn’t, then he joins the fast-growing ranks of the unemployed, desperately looking for ways to pay the mortgage.

It’s not my decision to make, of course. But I wonder what kinds of creative talents my friend has up his sleeve, talents he could use to pursue something beyond the path he’s on right now. What if he gave up his well-paying job, nice house, and 401K and decided to live on less and make a go of a new career altogether? It would probably require a return to school and a major lifestyle change. And maybe he would be happier in the end.

As for me, I’ve dreamed of running a professional counseling practice with my husband. I don’t think the time to pursue that dream has come just yet. But I hope that when my opportunity does come knocking, I’ll have the courage to open the door.

Comment up: If there were no constraints, what career would you pursue?

– Robyn Tellefsen

These days it seems that all people are talking about are lay-offs and reduced hiring rates — so much so that they ignore an important factor in every industry: the retirement rate. While many professions may reduce the amount by which they hire on a yearly basis, the truth is that a fresh crop of employees is always necessary in order to takeover the jobs of workers who have reached retirement age.

It’s an economic factor that is sometimes overlooked, but many in the media are taking notice in light of a new report on the education industry. According to the report by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, a nonprofit research advocacy group, a third of the country’s 3.2 million teachers may be retiring during the course of the next four years.

Unfortunately, there’s another problem that adds to this anticipated teaching shortage: the high attrition rate that occurs amongst newly hired teachers. Research has shown that a third of all new teachers choose to leave the teaching world within five years of being hired. Combined this with the cushy retirement plans that many teachers enjoy and you get a high turnover rate.

There is, however, hope for the education industry in the form of a new generation of college graduates eager to get into the teaching game and reap the perks that the profession’s hours, work demands, job security, and health benefits offer. Of course, as with any other career, you should only consider it if it coincides with your passions and goals in life – otherwise, you’ll be amongst that one third of new teachers.

*The original NYTimes article for more stats and info on the matter.

– Genevieve M. Blaber

This just in: more bad news from the front lines of the recession. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the student loan default rate has climbed from 4.6 percent in 2005 to 5.2 percent in 2006 to a preliminary figure of 6.9 percent for 2007. The 2007 rate is based on recent grads who began repaying their loans between October 2006 and September 2007 and defaulted before October 2008.

Of course, the recession is to blame:

The new rates “are from the early recession period, so that is the likely explanation for the increase,” Robert Shireman, a senior adviser to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, said in a statement.

So how can current and future students sidestep these sad loan statistics? Some tips on avoiding loan default:

>> Consolidate your cashola.
Consolidating your student loans enables you to combine all your loans into a single loan so you can reduce your number of monthly payments. This makes repayment more manageable and it can also lower the amount of your monthly payment.

>> Make a new plan.
You can also lower your payments by changing your payment plan. Extended repayment, for example, enables those with more than $30,000 in student loan debt to lower their monthly payment by extending the loan over 25 years instead of 10 years. Other options include graduated, income-contingent, income-sensitive, and income-based repayment.

>> Defer the question.
Deferring your loan just means postponing payment. The nice part is that if you have a subsidized Direct Stafford or Consolidation loan, the government will pay the interest while the loan is in deferment. For all other loans, unpaid interest capitalizes (is added to the principal balance) when you enter repayment. There are several types of deferment, including programs for current students, military personnel, and new parents. Click here to determine your eligibility for deferment.

>> Grin and forbear it.
Forbearance is an arrangement to postpone or reduce your monthly payment for a specific period of time, during which you are charged interest. You may request forbearance of principal, interest, or both. But even if you receive a forbearance of interest, it will continue to accumulate and it will be capitalized when the forbearance ends. Click here to determine your eligibility for forbearance.

And the most vital tip for avoiding loan default:

>> Communicate your concerns.
Lenders will do everything in their power to help you avoid defaulting on your loan – as long as you keep them in the loop about your financial situation. Contact them at the first sign of trouble, and you can make arrangements to keep your loan (and your credit rating) in good standing.

–Robyn Tellefsen

Got any more tips on effectively managing your student loans? Post away!

Determination and setting an example were very important in contributing to Teresita Lee’s successful completion of her Bachelor of Science degree in Management at the University of Phoenix. The 70-year-old great-grandmother recently donned a cap and gown at a graduation ceremony in Austin, Texas, according to a recent Career College Central article.

Even as a girl, Lee was always smart — so smart, in fact, that she skipped two grades in elementary school. When it came time for college, her father held her back claiming she was too young to be away from home. And, at the age of 15, her studies quickly came to a halt, even after she was named valedictorian of her high school class.

Says Lee in the article:

“The only reason I did this is to leave my grandchildren and great-grandchildren an inspiration,” said Lee, who lives in San Antonio. “It’s not good to quit. Just keep going until you get there.”

I think we can come away with a lot of lessons from Lee’s example. We can see she was always a good student and was forced to make a decision based on the fact that she was just a child at the time. But she finally came to a point where she realized she wanted that education and she wasn’t scared to go after it. There really are so many opportunities when it comes to education for nontraditional students, no matter what age. If you’ve even been having the slightest thoughts about going back to school, know that you are not alone.

Although Lee wanted to inspire her family, she ultimately made the decision for herself. It was through studying and keeping her eye on the prize that she was able to complete what she had longed to do for so long. No one should give up on their dreams and that’s what Lee’s example shows us. Even at 70 years old, you can still achieve what’s important to you and be successful.

Be sure to check out some additional nontraditional articles:

• Baby Boomers Back to School
• Community Colleges Targeting Boomers

-Amanda Fornecker

Internships are a fabulous way for people of all ages to see how they might enjoy a particular field. The downside is that most internships are unpaid; but the upside is networking, getting your foot in the door, and possibly getting a job offer at the end of it all. No, you’re not guaranteed a job with an internship, but you’re more likely to secure one with your internship experience. And although the current state of the economy may have left many unemployed, the key to a new job could be an internship.

CareerBuilder.com recently conducted a survey of employers and 59 percent stated that they are more likely to hire those who have interned for their company over those who have not. That’s a large percentage of employers who are looking within, instead of going with a complete stranger. An intern has already been cultivated to work within the company’s set of standards and it’s much easier to work with this than training someone who is not used to working at the company at all.

In fact, I can attest to the internship-materializing-into-a-job mentality. As a rising college junior I interned here at CollegeSurfing and when it came time for graduation, my editor called me and told me she was looking for another writer. It was through my hard work and dedication that I was able to score my first job out of college. Yes, it may have been perfect timing, but without my internship I may not have been the first one on her list.

So consider an internship – it’s certainly beneficial when you are entering any stage of your profession in any stage of your life. And there are a select few internships that do pay! If you’re proactive enough you’ll find one that will be perfect for you. After all, someone has to score the paid internship — why shouldn’t it be you?

For more information on internships visit:
Internships: The Ultimate Career Tryout
Too Old for an Internship? Career Switchers Say No Way!

-Amanda Fornecker

Why major in finance or philosophy when you can choose one of these off-the-beaten-path undergraduate degree programs? They may sound wacky, but they’re worth a second look.

1 – Bagpiping

Yes, you can actually earn a bachelor of fine arts degree in bagpiping from the Carnegie Mellon School of Music (Pittsburgh, PA). The undergraduate curriculum is composed of studio time, theory, history, ensemble work, and general studies courses and electives. I suppose if I were hiring a bagpiper, I would want one with impressive credentials like these.

2 – Bakery science and management

I didn’t know baking was a science – then again, my version of baking is dumping brownie mix into a pan. At Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS), bakery science degree students can focus on production management (a business-oriented approach) or cereal chemistry (quality control or research and development).

3 – Costume technology

This is the next step after costume design. In the bachelor of fine arts degree program in costume technology at DePaul University’s Theatre School (Chicago, IL), students learn to translate designs into the actual garments actors wear. Costume technology students become theatrical craftsmen, drapers, cutters, and costume shop managers.

4 – Egyptology

If you’re into hieroglyphics and ancient history, you can major in Egyptology at Brown University (Providence, RI). Courses cover the spectrum of Egyptian language and literature, Egyptian civilization, and Egyptian history. I’d be interested to find out how hiring managers view this degree.

5 – Entertainment engineering and design

Consider this the science of the entertainment industry. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, students can focus on such specific areas of the entertainment industry as advanced visualization techniques, automation and motion controls, biomechanics and animatronics, entertainment venue design, and structural design and rigging.

6 – Family business

Students at Stetson University (Deland, FL) can earn a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in family business. Topics include family business dynamics; communications techniques; and strategic, estate, and succession planning. Upon graduation, students should have at least two job offers – beyond their family business.

7 – Floral management

Aspiring florists can earn a floral management degree from Mississippi State University. Floral management involves sourcing, purchasing, distributing, marketing, designing with, and selling floricultural products. Career opportunities for graduates include retailing, wholesaling, special event designing, and display gardening.

8 – Turfgrass science

I know turf management is everywhere, but it still sounds funny to me. A bachelor’s degree program in turfgrass science is even available online via Penn State World Campus. Turfgrass science covers pesticides, weed control, morphology, entomology, pathology, edaphology, and cultural systems, as well as business management and communication.

Post a comment if you know of any other wacky majors!

– Robyn Tellefsen

It’s amazing what kind of job-related reads you can find online when you know where to look. Here’s where I’m looking today – a roundup of the coolest career posts in the blogosphere.

1.    30 Plus Brilliant and Creative Resumes

All I can say is WOW. These 35 resumes put my boring old Word doc to shame. My personal fave is #8 – its beauty doesn’t diminish its readability. I’ll admit that the level of resume creativity should correlate with the field you’re in. Designers have much more artistic leeway than, say, investment bankers.

2.    10 Seeeeriously Cool Workplaces

I love the opening visual on this one, with the caption: “Where would you do your best work?” If given the choice, who wouldn’t pick wide open spaces?! And a conference bike instead of a conference room! P.S. I want to work at Red Bull London so I can use the slide between floors. Awesome.

3.    5 Best Things to Say When Caught Sleeping at Your Desk

This blog may not be as visually stimulating as the others, but it sure makes me laugh. Has anyone out there ever used one of these? My fave is #2: “Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?” It’s the only one I can imagine actually getting away with, aside from some kind of pregnancy/child excuse.

4.    51 Creative Business Cards That Will Make You Look Twice

Another WOW post. The 3D aspect of some of these designs is fun, but the pragmatic part of me balks at how expensive the “cards” are to make. Faves: The whoopee cushion is genius, as is the personal trainer rubber band. (Maybe I just like latex?) My inner pragmatist also loves the graphic design business card/ruler. But to be honest, this Lego business card takes the cake.

5.    15 Funniest Cartoons and Web Comics About Layoffs

A timely, humorous look at the unfortunate state of many Americans’ careers. Sometimes you’ve got to laugh, or perish. I dig #6 – will bloggers have the last laugh? Only time will tell….

Hope you find some career inspiration here – and a few laughs! Comment away…

– Robyn Tellefsen