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'09 Grads Picky Despite Grim Jobs Market

Below-par jobs rejected as grads wait for economy to rebound

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 25, 2009 6:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – Many of this year's college grads are confounding career advisers by rejecting suggestions that they can't afford to be choosy about what job to take in a recession, the New York Times reports. The grads say they don't want to be forced into less-than-ideal jobs and career paths by economic circumstance, but college officials blame the trend on the fact that they studied during boom times, and don't get how soured the economy is.

"I’m definitely seeing a lot of the older generation saying, ‘Oh, it’s so awful,’ but my generation isn’t getting as depressed and uptight about it,” says one grad who turned down a job with a $50,000 salary because he didn't like the employer's vibes. “The economy will rebound.” Career counselors say they're bracing for busy times in the fall, as the reality of the jobs market starts to sink in.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

New graduates cheer during the New York University commencement ceremony at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig )

A job seeker sits in the stands of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, during the 6th Annual Grand Slam Career Fair. Colleges say recruiters are much scarcer than in previous years. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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I don’t think the students understand, I really don’t, but come September, October, when they still don’t have jobs, they’re going to be panicky. - Clarice Wilsey, a career counselor at the University of Oregon

My first word of advice is this: Say yes. In fact, say yes as often as you can. Saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow.
- University of Connecticut president Michael J. Hogan

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'09 Grads Picky Despite Grim Jobs Market