As the US economy struggles to recover from an economic recession, today's college graduates face a grim job market and are opting to stay in school for higher degrees. In Hillsborough County alone, the unemployment rate has hit a record high of 13.1 percent. College students are at a crossroad when it comes to deciding whether to struggle with finding a decent job in today's economy or stay in school while racking up student loans to obtain a higher degree in hopes of gaining that dream career.
"I returned back to school back to obtain a Master's Degree in Public Health with the intent of earning better pay," said Donyelle Russ, a student at Florida International University.
According to www.mybudget360.com, California, Florida, Texas, and New York student loan debt has increased dramatically. Although the current economic recession <http://www.mybudget360.com/the-main-street-economic-effect-10-reasons-why-this-recession-will-feel-like-a-minor-depression/> has much to do with it, the fact that those with college degrees are losing jobs in large numbers as well has contributed greatly. Many are no longer able to service their own debt and going into default on their loans. As we have mentioned, a college degree does not protect your job nor does it assure you in getting one.
"I'm afraid that I will not be able to find a job in my field upon graduating in the Spring 2010, so I will be attending graduate school to better my chances of getting a field-related job,"said Ashley Jones, a senior at University of South Florida.
According to The Washington Post, labor economists say the unemployment rate for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher is poised to hit a record high. This recession is so far-reaching, they contend, few are immune from the consequences.
"I returned to school to position myself ahead of the competition for when the economy turns around," said Nicole King, a Strayer University Ph.D student. "I also used the opportunity to reinvent myself and study which industries survived a down economy so I knew what areas to study for in school should the recession repeat itself I now know what career profession survived."
As job seekers continue to seek employment, they find that due to the declining economy, returning back to school is a great opportunity.
There are programs that are available for the unemployed who are seeking to obtain higher degrees. Those who are interested can obtain information at www.USA.gov <http://www.usa.gov/> .
The employed are taking the advantage of obtaining higher degrees until this recession period has improved for job availability.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Unemployment Resembles 1975
Unemployment can drastically affect the economy of a city, especially when it is that of 13.1 percent, the current unemployment rate for Tampa. This is the highest unemployment rate since May of 1975, when the unemployment rate reached 11.9 percent. The economy was in turmoil and tourism rates for the city were drastically declining. Jobs were very scarce due to immediately surviving a recession the previous five years. Another momentous event drastically affected the unemployment rate was the OPEC (Oil.Petroleum.Economic.Crisis) oil crisis lasting from late 1973 to spring time of 1974. The crisis put a halt on the entire oil supply to North America until we ceased our support to Israel. This led to a diminishing tourism market and therefore fewer jobs for Tampa residents.
The current unemployment rate has reached a tremendous high reflecting similar characteristic as that of the 1975 unemployment rate. Florida is one of fifteen states with an unemployment rate with double digits. Tampa Florida specifically is one of the highest unemployment rates of any city in the country. Reasons for unemployment may not be the same as in the previous high of unemployment, but they still have a drastic affect on the economy. The Florida citrus industry is a 9.3 billion dollar industry that was drastically affected when temperatures reached the low 20’s in early January. Many of the citrus companies had damage to their crops, which led to large losses both in jobs and income. The Story’s are just one example of this; they are a large citrus company who suffered 500,000 dollars in potential losses.
Another reason for unemployment in the Tampa bay area would be one similar to that of the OPEC crisis and the Yom Kippur war. The war in Afghanistan and the Middle East is contributing to a large portion of the unemployed from veterans returning from the war. Since volunteering for the war is more prevalent in the south, a lot of the veterans will return to their homes, (some of which in the Tampa bay area), and not have jobs upon their return.
Getting the unemployment rate back to an acceptable rate is a long process and is expected to be slow, although many economists believe that the unemployment rate in Florida as a state will increase over the next five years. Without a city full of people employed and working, the city cannot be productive and it is very important for a major port city like Tampa to be productive and thrive. Like the area did after the last unemployment spike, Tampa is expected to make a recovery back into single digits.
-Ryan Lowe-
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Weekly Reflection 7
Review the "Game Plan for All-Star Sports Coverage" handout from class on April 6. Post a brief reflection here about key points or lessons learned. Even though the primary audience for this is high school students, what can you take away from the author's message that will enable you to cover sports effectively?
Post a response by 6 p.m. on April 13.
Post a response by 6 p.m. on April 13.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Seniors Heading Into A Bad Job Market
As the unemployment rate in the Tampa Bay area tops 13% for the first time in 30 years, college seniors, like everyone else, are having a harder and harder time finding jobs straight out of college. Add the pressure from the burden of student loans, and many are stuck having to settle into jobs for which they are way overqualified.
University of Tampa writing graduate TJ Shields says he is stuck working 50 hour weeks at an electronics store to pay for his loans, which means he doesn’t have time to look for a real career.
“In a perfect world I would get paid very well and could quit this job and pay my loans,” Shields said. “But right now I'm forced to work a crappy job like (the name of TJ’s current employer) while I pay my loans and try get my ideas for my future together.”
Many students are dealing with the same loans first, future later, problem as Shields. According to the New York Times, the average college student graduates with $23,000 in student loans, leaving many having to take menial jobs instead of moving toward the future they went to college to achieve.
Because they don’t want be forced to find a minimum wage job in a bad economy, many students are ignoring the job market and exploring other alternatives for their first several post undergraduate years. Graduate school has become an increasingly popular choice for seniors like UT English major Mary Kelley, who says that she feels bad for the people who are actually going to try to get a job.
“For me, it’s grad school all the way,” Kelly said. “I am going to get my Masters in Education here at UT. Good luck to those seniors trying to get a job right now. It is awful.”
English major Heather Gromley agrees.
“I have plenty of friends who graduated last year who are still looking for jobs around the nation. Gromley said. “Right now I'm planning on going back home and saving up money to attend grad school abroad the fall after next.”
But for college seniors, graduate school isn’t the only option out there. Some students turn to the military, see Chris Campo’s article on seniors in the military, and some look for alternatives that pay the bills and will be enjoyable, like UT graduate Shannon Grippando. In a few weeks, Grippando will head to Miami for a final interview to get into JET, the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program. Should he be accepted, Grippando will get paid fly out to a school in Japan and help teach English.
Grippando says that thanks to his plans with JET, he doesn’t have to worry about finding work.
“The dismal job market doesn't concern me right now,” Grippando said. “Of course it sucks trying to get a part-time job to cover expenses and to start paying back student loans, but it's not impossible to find one. A career is another thing, but thankfully I'm not looking for one at the moment.”
But despite the scary unemployment numbers and intimidating loans, some students are finding work. Cindy McCormick, an English Major at UT, says that she applied to the Tampa Tribune for an internship, and they offered her a full-time job.
“I guess perseverance pays off,” McCormick said. “You just have to keep trying, get yourself and your resume out there.”
McCormick’s positive outlook should be a reminder to students that finding a job is a full time job, so you’re only unemployed when you stop trying.
University of Tampa writing graduate TJ Shields says he is stuck working 50 hour weeks at an electronics store to pay for his loans, which means he doesn’t have time to look for a real career.
“In a perfect world I would get paid very well and could quit this job and pay my loans,” Shields said. “But right now I'm forced to work a crappy job like (the name of TJ’s current employer) while I pay my loans and try get my ideas for my future together.”
Many students are dealing with the same loans first, future later, problem as Shields. According to the New York Times, the average college student graduates with $23,000 in student loans, leaving many having to take menial jobs instead of moving toward the future they went to college to achieve.
Because they don’t want be forced to find a minimum wage job in a bad economy, many students are ignoring the job market and exploring other alternatives for their first several post undergraduate years. Graduate school has become an increasingly popular choice for seniors like UT English major Mary Kelley, who says that she feels bad for the people who are actually going to try to get a job.
“For me, it’s grad school all the way,” Kelly said. “I am going to get my Masters in Education here at UT. Good luck to those seniors trying to get a job right now. It is awful.”
English major Heather Gromley agrees.
“I have plenty of friends who graduated last year who are still looking for jobs around the nation. Gromley said. “Right now I'm planning on going back home and saving up money to attend grad school abroad the fall after next.”
But for college seniors, graduate school isn’t the only option out there. Some students turn to the military, see Chris Campo’s article on seniors in the military, and some look for alternatives that pay the bills and will be enjoyable, like UT graduate Shannon Grippando. In a few weeks, Grippando will head to Miami for a final interview to get into JET, the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program. Should he be accepted, Grippando will get paid fly out to a school in Japan and help teach English.
Grippando says that thanks to his plans with JET, he doesn’t have to worry about finding work.
“The dismal job market doesn't concern me right now,” Grippando said. “Of course it sucks trying to get a part-time job to cover expenses and to start paying back student loans, but it's not impossible to find one. A career is another thing, but thankfully I'm not looking for one at the moment.”
But despite the scary unemployment numbers and intimidating loans, some students are finding work. Cindy McCormick, an English Major at UT, says that she applied to the Tampa Tribune for an internship, and they offered her a full-time job.
“I guess perseverance pays off,” McCormick said. “You just have to keep trying, get yourself and your resume out there.”
McCormick’s positive outlook should be a reminder to students that finding a job is a full time job, so you’re only unemployed when you stop trying.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Florida Tourism Taking Hit
The downturn of our economy has had a huge impact on all industries across the nation and has put many such as the insurance industry in need of help. However tourism in central Florida seemed to be unaffected due to the fact that it was steadily rising over the past decade. This was all prior to 2008 though because since then Tourism has been declining in the past year due to abnormal weather patterns. The Associated Press reports that about 82.5 million visitors traveled to Florida in 2008 and this was up 2.3 percent from 2007. Canadian travelers alone increased by 14 percent in that year as well and many residents of Florida chose in-state vacations increasing by 23 percent.
Central Florida is regarded as the top area of the state when it comes to tourism due to the fact that it has the largest amusement park on earth with Disney World. and many others surround the area such as Universal Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens. However, many reports are that these parks are taking a hit in the last year. Busch Entertainment Corp. who owns SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay estimates it will end the year down 7 percent in attendance.
The tourism industry is something this region of the state thrives on and in the past two years there has been a decline. Many analysts believe it’s been due to the threat of hurricanes and bad weather but one analyst, Abe Pizam Dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen college, believes that foreigners have become bored with the region and that Florida now needs "new reasons for people to come".(1)
This definitely a clear sign of why our area is looking at one of the worst unemployment rates in the state. At 13.1 percent too many are finding it difficult to find work and support themselves. The tourism industry taking this type of hit only makes that situation worse and if the slump continues. The highest unemployment rate in the state may only get higher.
(1) http://www.sambaladevelopments.com/cape_verde_news.cfm?nid=183
Central Florida is regarded as the top area of the state when it comes to tourism due to the fact that it has the largest amusement park on earth with Disney World. and many others surround the area such as Universal Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens. However, many reports are that these parks are taking a hit in the last year. Busch Entertainment Corp. who owns SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay estimates it will end the year down 7 percent in attendance.
The tourism industry is something this region of the state thrives on and in the past two years there has been a decline. Many analysts believe it’s been due to the threat of hurricanes and bad weather but one analyst, Abe Pizam Dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen college, believes that foreigners have become bored with the region and that Florida now needs "new reasons for people to come".(1)
This definitely a clear sign of why our area is looking at one of the worst unemployment rates in the state. At 13.1 percent too many are finding it difficult to find work and support themselves. The tourism industry taking this type of hit only makes that situation worse and if the slump continues. The highest unemployment rate in the state may only get higher.
(1) http://www.sambaladevelopments.com/cape_verde_news.cfm?nid=183
Unemployment Compensation - Or Lack Thereof
Hillsborough County, or the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, reached a new high for unemployment: 13.1%.
The number of jobs in the region was once 1,136,512. Since the recession began in December 2007, 106,990 jobs have been lost, according to the Department of Numbers. Many Floridians rely on unemployment compensation during the economic slump.
Individuals must apply for compensation. Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation reviews claims. To qualify, citizens must be unemployed through no fault of their own. They must be on an active job search and ready to take a job that is offered to them.
Unemployment insurance consists of what the agency calls “temporary wage replacement benefits.” The most a former employee in the state of Florida can receive is $275 per week. The weekly amount is based on previous earnings.
After a claim is filed, it must be verified every two weeks that the individual’s job search is still ongoing. The first check arrives after approximately three to four weeks. The agency works with individuals through local One-Stop Career Centers and the website www.employflorida.com.
Florida’s compensation system is not prepared for the 13.1% unemployment rate. The money originally came from Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund (UCTF). At the end of 2008, the UCTF contained more than $1.3 billion. The fund was emptied by August 2009.
According to the Citrus County Chronicle, the UCTF cut funds during better economic times instead of saving for today’s recession. The state is forced to borrow approximately $300 million from the federal government each month. In September 2011 hundred of millions will be due in interest payments.
Florida employers are taxed to provide unemployment compensation. The Department of Revenue formulates the tax rate. A $1.2 billion increase was proposed last year to become effective January 1, 2010. The Sun Sentinel printed specific numbers. Employers formerly paid the compensation tax of $8.40 per employee. The suggested increase was $100.30 per employee.
This proposal did not go over well, especially with small businesses. Some organizations are against any tax increase. The Florida Chamber of Commerce encouraged employer protests.
The House of Representatives passed legislation in March to delay the employer tax increase. Miami Rep. Ronald Brise said, “Let’s do everything we can in our power to encourage businesses to open and employ Floridians.” The minimum compensation tax rate is now $25 per employee, a lot less than the suggested $100.30.
Employees pay an unemployment tax determined by their salary. The taxable wage base remains at $7,000, according to the American Payroll Association. Recent legislation denied the $8,500 wage base.
While Hillsborough County’s unemployment rate is 13.1%, the state of Florida’s is approximately 12%. Nationally, unemployment hovers around 9.7%. The alternative to increased employer and employee taxes is further debt with the federal government.
All Homes, No Jobs
Driving around the Tampa Bay area you will notice beautiful new condo complexes throughout the entire city. Filled with top of the line amenities and waterfront views, they are only lacking one thing, residents.
Tampa is a young up and coming city full of opportunity for prosperity on all levels. This is what investors saw when they decided to sink billions into constructing new luxury condos in prime areas of the city. Unfortunately plans were underway before the recession hit home, leaving investors and homeowners unable to pay their bills.
Currently Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater unemployment rate plummeted to 13.1%, making them the highest percentage in the state. According to the Tampa Bay Daily Journal individuals are becoming so discouraged, some workers are giving up the hunt, relying on government benefits.
Many UT seniors are looking to relocate after college due to these gloom statistics. “Graduating within a month we are all weighing our options,” said Senior Christina Breaden. “Reality has set in. Most of us are forced to move back home up North where the jobs are.” Jobless and drowning in student debts, college graduates are not making it a priority to become a player in the real-estate market.
“We keep lowering our prices offering renters special deals, but still cannot get anyone to bite,” said Nicole Attridge, employer of Phillips International Drive. This brand new complex offers high quality amenities and spacious homes at very reasonable prices; unfortunately they are still looking to fill over half of their units. One of the luxurious condominiums created in Downtown Tampa were the twin 29 story Towers of Channelside. Only half the units have been sold, forcing the investors to go to bankruptcy court even before completion. “Unfortunately it’s the economy. It’s bigger than us. It’s bigger than any one person,” said Richard Sacchi, a principal of Towers of Channelside LLC according to the Tampa Real Estate Insider.
Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater has landed 22 on the top foreclosure cities in the nation. Tampa Bay Daily Journal reports housing values down 29.2% from 2004. No income makes you unreliable to purchase a home. Banks have pulled back on lending on money, which is only contributing to this downward spiral. Out of work, owners are turning to renters as a last attempt to save their homes.
Predictions are the real-estate market and unemployment rates will begin to stabilize. Unfortunately, the recovery time for individuals to regain their investments on their homes is looking to be a very slow process. For now, Tampa’s homes are empty and the citizens remain unemployed.
Tampa is a young up and coming city full of opportunity for prosperity on all levels. This is what investors saw when they decided to sink billions into constructing new luxury condos in prime areas of the city. Unfortunately plans were underway before the recession hit home, leaving investors and homeowners unable to pay their bills.
Currently Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater unemployment rate plummeted to 13.1%, making them the highest percentage in the state. According to the Tampa Bay Daily Journal individuals are becoming so discouraged, some workers are giving up the hunt, relying on government benefits.
Many UT seniors are looking to relocate after college due to these gloom statistics. “Graduating within a month we are all weighing our options,” said Senior Christina Breaden. “Reality has set in. Most of us are forced to move back home up North where the jobs are.” Jobless and drowning in student debts, college graduates are not making it a priority to become a player in the real-estate market.
“We keep lowering our prices offering renters special deals, but still cannot get anyone to bite,” said Nicole Attridge, employer of Phillips International Drive. This brand new complex offers high quality amenities and spacious homes at very reasonable prices; unfortunately they are still looking to fill over half of their units. One of the luxurious condominiums created in Downtown Tampa were the twin 29 story Towers of Channelside. Only half the units have been sold, forcing the investors to go to bankruptcy court even before completion. “Unfortunately it’s the economy. It’s bigger than us. It’s bigger than any one person,” said Richard Sacchi, a principal of Towers of Channelside LLC according to the Tampa Real Estate Insider.
Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater has landed 22 on the top foreclosure cities in the nation. Tampa Bay Daily Journal reports housing values down 29.2% from 2004. No income makes you unreliable to purchase a home. Banks have pulled back on lending on money, which is only contributing to this downward spiral. Out of work, owners are turning to renters as a last attempt to save their homes.
Predictions are the real-estate market and unemployment rates will begin to stabilize. Unfortunately, the recovery time for individuals to regain their investments on their homes is looking to be a very slow process. For now, Tampa’s homes are empty and the citizens remain unemployed.
Marketing Education in a Tough Economy
As our country staggers through the economic downturn, Floridians seem to have been hit the hardest. According to the Tampa department of growth management and development services, Hillsborough county employment fell 5.6% between July 2008 and July 2009. From there, estimates The Florida Agency for Workforce, unemployment jumped from 11.9 to now 13.1; an all time high for the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area.
What are these 13.1% of jobless people to do? Well, statistics tell us that more are choosing to attend college. Adam Labonte, a University of Tampa Admissions Director, said that while the economy is likely to improve, “in the interim, as jobs are in very short supply, one is likely to use the time to further their education.” Many others, it appears nowadays, are sweet talked by sales-pitching recruiters or ensnared by those education commercials; the ones that feature stylish actors who boast about how secure their future has become.
In this cut throat, free-market society, where only the fittest businesses survive, and where businesses everywhere, including post-secondary schools, are under economic pressure, have educational institutions become less mission-oriented and more market-oriented?
For years Florida’s 11-university system has taken a toll due to the lack of state revenue. According to The Florida Board of Governors, public education funds have fallen 18% since 2005-06. From 2007-09, as Chancellor Mark Rosenberg predicted, university budget cuts amassed $285 million, causing universities to reduce spending by anywhere between $2-7 million. Enrollments have been frozen, positions left vacant, and classes enlarged.
The National Center for Education (NCES) holds that Florida is home to the third largest number of private, for-profit institutes in the nation, behind Pennsylvania and California. These private universities and community colleges have suffered from the economic situation as well. Ironically, though, enrollment at these fund-raiser schools has been on a constant rise. According to an Oct. 2009 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the number of 18-24 year olds enrolled in for-profit universities, institutes, two-year, and even four-year colleges has been at its highest ever. This spike takes place almost entirely at two-year colleges and for-profit universities. In 2007 10.9% of 18-24 year olds were enrolled in a community college. That number has since risen well over 11.8% and is expected to continue growing as long as 2018, said NCES.
Community college and for-profit university enrollments tend to rise as the economy worsens, reported the Pew Research Center. One reason is that community colleges are less expensive than four-year institutions. “For-profits certainly have the convenience,” said Labonte, “they don’t have the affordability.”
To say that this increase in college enrollment is due to crafty marketing strategies is an overstatement. “Recruitment has changed drastically and tactics can be misleading, ” said Labonte, “at the end of the day every college is offering the same thing: a degree. What we’re really selling is an experience. Resort-like dorms, high-tech classrooms, etc.”
-Tillman
What are these 13.1% of jobless people to do? Well, statistics tell us that more are choosing to attend college. Adam Labonte, a University of Tampa Admissions Director, said that while the economy is likely to improve, “in the interim, as jobs are in very short supply, one is likely to use the time to further their education.” Many others, it appears nowadays, are sweet talked by sales-pitching recruiters or ensnared by those education commercials; the ones that feature stylish actors who boast about how secure their future has become.
In this cut throat, free-market society, where only the fittest businesses survive, and where businesses everywhere, including post-secondary schools, are under economic pressure, have educational institutions become less mission-oriented and more market-oriented?
For years Florida’s 11-university system has taken a toll due to the lack of state revenue. According to The Florida Board of Governors, public education funds have fallen 18% since 2005-06. From 2007-09, as Chancellor Mark Rosenberg predicted, university budget cuts amassed $285 million, causing universities to reduce spending by anywhere between $2-7 million. Enrollments have been frozen, positions left vacant, and classes enlarged.
The National Center for Education (NCES) holds that Florida is home to the third largest number of private, for-profit institutes in the nation, behind Pennsylvania and California. These private universities and community colleges have suffered from the economic situation as well. Ironically, though, enrollment at these fund-raiser schools has been on a constant rise. According to an Oct. 2009 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the number of 18-24 year olds enrolled in for-profit universities, institutes, two-year, and even four-year colleges has been at its highest ever. This spike takes place almost entirely at two-year colleges and for-profit universities. In 2007 10.9% of 18-24 year olds were enrolled in a community college. That number has since risen well over 11.8% and is expected to continue growing as long as 2018, said NCES.
Community college and for-profit university enrollments tend to rise as the economy worsens, reported the Pew Research Center. One reason is that community colleges are less expensive than four-year institutions. “For-profits certainly have the convenience,” said Labonte, “they don’t have the affordability.”
To say that this increase in college enrollment is due to crafty marketing strategies is an overstatement. “Recruitment has changed drastically and tactics can be misleading, ” said Labonte, “at the end of the day every college is offering the same thing: a degree. What we’re really selling is an experience. Resort-like dorms, high-tech classrooms, etc.”
-Tillman
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Now Hiring or Not Hiring?
Tampa has been hit with the highest unemployment rate this past month in the last thirty years at 13.1 percent. While over 300,000 jobs in Florida have been lost in this past year, the construction industry by itself had laid off 90,700 workers. With all the talk of job loss and economy in the tubes, some might ask, which jobs remain untouchable?
The sad truth is that there is no clear answer that question. However an employment breakdown of the Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties provided by the Highlands Today shows the percentage of employment in each industry. For example, the industries of trade, transportation and utilities are at 17 percent, government employment is at 16.5 percent, agriculture 16.1 percent, education and health services are at 13.8, leisure and hospitality 7.1 percent, professional and business services 6.5 percent, and construction is at 3.9 percent.
Ron Rae, columnist of “The Rae Way”, featured in Hernando Today, recently wrote about how hurricane season should hopefully bring in some construction jobs. As awful an idea at that sounds, it would most likely decrease the unemployment rates, even if it’s only temporary.
Another disheartening fact about the jobs that are hiring is that they most likely will be filled by overqualified employees who will be accepting a pay cut. Branch manager Joe Badalamenti for Manpower, located on 5625 W. Waters Ave told News Channel 8’s Krista Klaus that salaries have fallen between 10 to 20 percent since the unemployment controversy.
While it’s difficult to say which jobs are currently hiring, it’s easier to say which job markets are taking the biggest hit. And even among the jobs opportunities currently available, it’s not promised to continue that way for very long.
The sad truth is that there is no clear answer that question. However an employment breakdown of the Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties provided by the Highlands Today shows the percentage of employment in each industry. For example, the industries of trade, transportation and utilities are at 17 percent, government employment is at 16.5 percent, agriculture 16.1 percent, education and health services are at 13.8, leisure and hospitality 7.1 percent, professional and business services 6.5 percent, and construction is at 3.9 percent.
Ron Rae, columnist of “The Rae Way”, featured in Hernando Today, recently wrote about how hurricane season should hopefully bring in some construction jobs. As awful an idea at that sounds, it would most likely decrease the unemployment rates, even if it’s only temporary.
Another disheartening fact about the jobs that are hiring is that they most likely will be filled by overqualified employees who will be accepting a pay cut. Branch manager Joe Badalamenti for Manpower, located on 5625 W. Waters Ave told News Channel 8’s Krista Klaus that salaries have fallen between 10 to 20 percent since the unemployment controversy.
While it’s difficult to say which jobs are currently hiring, it’s easier to say which job markets are taking the biggest hit. And even among the jobs opportunities currently available, it’s not promised to continue that way for very long.
Career Services working hard in this economy
It’s no secret that the Tampa Bay area is suffering from the highest unemployment rate in the state. At 13.1%, unemployed citizens of the area are in need of resources and information on how to obtain jobs, internships, or start building connections again. Luckily for The University of Tampa student body, they have all these options right on campus. The Office of Career Services, located in the Riverside Building, has every possible workshop, event, and program that will assist in helping students survive in this dwindling economy.
Every year, the office provides a day long event geared towards graduating seniors. Life After UT, begins with a panel of UT alumni, who give tips and tricks on what to do about applying for jobs, internships, and insider information to successfully transition from school to the real world.
Mark Colvenbach, manager of employer development, opened the program saying, “It’s a touch job market, but there are jobs that you can uncover.”
The panel gave the students some raw advice on staying ahead after school. Josh Taylor, who went right into grad school, gave the perspective on waiting it out in this economy. They discussed everything from resume hints, to networking with people. But Jessie Holder, put it best when she said her best advice would be, “Always have your resume. And never burn bridges”.
The main consensus of the panel was to make connections, and remember it’s a small town so keep your relationships positive.
Aside from Life After UT, Career Services offers 5 or more programs each week that students can take advantage of. This includes having employers come on campus for job interviews. Also, their database HireUT gives students an assortment of jobs and internships they can apply for. These jobs aren’t just for Florida, but they are located everywhere in the nation. This small office does big things for the future of their students.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Reporting to Yourself
It’s no secret that millions of Americans are without jobs. It’s no secret that 13.1 % of residents in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area are unemployed. Since it is difficult to find a well paying job during these hard economic times, people are starting to turn their shoulder on the idea of working up a company ladder and instead, work for themselves. According to the US census, there are about 10.4 million self-employed workers in the United States which is a 300,000 person increase since 2001.
Hillsborough County had one of the highest self-employment rate increases in the country. According to the census, the amount of people who worked at non-employer establishments in Hillsborough County jumped up 8.3 percent from 2004 to 2005. Out of the nearly 1,180,000 residents in Hillsborough County, approximately 59,000 of them were self-employed as of 2008, according to city-data.com.
There are many reasons that can explain why people are stepping away from big companies to work for themselves. One example could be the older generation of professionals that are fired daily because their salary is too big. In a company’s eyes, why pay the old guy a fat pay check when we can get a brand new college graduate and pay him close to nothing? Once that ‘old guy’ is fired, he’ll have to search for a new job and probably settle for a significantly reduced pay cut. Why bother? This is why many people start their own business and use the skills they’ve gained over their career to make a legitimate amount of income. Whether they do freelance work or open up their own company, self-employment is becoming a popular trend this day in age. In some cases, people who start their own business and find success may be better off as opposed to working for a big corporation.
25 year old Cameron Fulks, a part-time University of Tampa student and full-time self-employee, realized that working a part time job for a bar-and-club promotion company wouldn’t pay off his bills and support the life style he lives. In 2008, Fulks decided to leave his part-time job and start his own promotion company. “Starting Edge Entertainment was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I make great money, I don’t have to report to anyone, and I love my work,” said Fulks.
Working for yourself and starting your own business isn’t an easy thing to do. In many cases, people fail and end up in a worst place then where they started. Some call it an investment; others will call it a gamble. Some have found great success with starting their own business and other have not. The only thing certain these days is that if you don’t pay taxes, you’re going to jail.
Hillsborough County had one of the highest self-employment rate increases in the country. According to the census, the amount of people who worked at non-employer establishments in Hillsborough County jumped up 8.3 percent from 2004 to 2005. Out of the nearly 1,180,000 residents in Hillsborough County, approximately 59,000 of them were self-employed as of 2008, according to city-data.com.
There are many reasons that can explain why people are stepping away from big companies to work for themselves. One example could be the older generation of professionals that are fired daily because their salary is too big. In a company’s eyes, why pay the old guy a fat pay check when we can get a brand new college graduate and pay him close to nothing? Once that ‘old guy’ is fired, he’ll have to search for a new job and probably settle for a significantly reduced pay cut. Why bother? This is why many people start their own business and use the skills they’ve gained over their career to make a legitimate amount of income. Whether they do freelance work or open up their own company, self-employment is becoming a popular trend this day in age. In some cases, people who start their own business and find success may be better off as opposed to working for a big corporation.
25 year old Cameron Fulks, a part-time University of Tampa student and full-time self-employee, realized that working a part time job for a bar-and-club promotion company wouldn’t pay off his bills and support the life style he lives. In 2008, Fulks decided to leave his part-time job and start his own promotion company. “Starting Edge Entertainment was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I make great money, I don’t have to report to anyone, and I love my work,” said Fulks.
Working for yourself and starting your own business isn’t an easy thing to do. In many cases, people fail and end up in a worst place then where they started. Some call it an investment; others will call it a gamble. Some have found great success with starting their own business and other have not. The only thing certain these days is that if you don’t pay taxes, you’re going to jail.
From Scholars to Soldiers
The depleted economy is all that most Americans can think about these days, and here in Tampa we are seeing very harmful effects with the unemployment rate. Tampa’s 13.2% is among the highest in the state of Florida. The scarcity of jobs around the metro area is forcing students to make hot and heavy decisions upon their graduation. As an incentive, certain branches of our military can offer to pay for student loans in full. Considering the difficulty of finding a fulfilling occupation around Tampa, is it more practical for graduates to have the government pay for school and serve their country in the process? Many students whether in an ROTC program or not, seem to be considering the armed forces as an option. Some of the students feel it will give the initiatives being implemented by the white house time to turn the economy around creating new jobs all around the country. Others students want to wipe out student loan bills mainly to take pressure off themselves financially so they can afford houses, cars, and other vital things for a normal day to day life. Tom Sawicki, a UT senior and member of the universities ROTC program thinks that currently, the military is a sensible option for graduates to partake in. “The military can offer a feeling of accomplishment, confidence, and maybe even turn on young people to making the military a lifelong career,” said Sawicki.
Other people find that enlisting is only a way to run away from the high unemployment rate in Tampa and the entire country. John Robbins a UT senior thinks that to enroll in a branch of the military, you must have somewhat of a passion for serving. “You can’t just go in to avoid looking for a real job after graduation. You have to want to serve the country and have enthusiasm about it,” said Robbins. “I have all the respect in the world for our countries military men and women because that is what they truly want to be doing,” added Robbins. The opinions of students around campus definitely seem to be diverged as these two are. Yet the high unemployment rate is a still a very realistic and scary thing for this years graduates. So what is the best plan of attack for students rapidly approaching commencement? Researching and weighing your options is always a good approach. Students can use resources like the Internet; employ UT, and internship opportunities to fast track their way into a paid position. If the military were still an option, than meet with a recruiter to find out more about military positions that would be suitable for someone with a college degree. The most important decision for students to make is one that ensures stability and safety in our society.
Work Sharing and Coping Job Cutbacks
The recent state of the US economy has had a tremendous effect on lives of Americans causing higher unemployment, lower job security, and an uncertain future for American workforce and the state of Florida is no exception. The state of Florida’s unemployment percentage reached a record high 12.2 percent this month according to The Miami Herald, with the city of Tampa hitting a high of 11.7 percent, with rising unemployment many companies are cutting back hours from workers and asking them to take more vacation days.
Many businesses around Tampa are cutting back the amount of hours their employees are working to cut down of the out flow of cash in this downed economy, fewer and fewer people on shifts that used to be fully stacked, this all in an effort to save the companies money. Donald Johnson of the government funded Florida Department program “Clean City” had this to say, “They keep cutting back our hours, at first I was O.K. with it I thought good I get some more time to relax, but then we began to start hearing about how they might be firing a lot of people, I mean I don’t mind time off here and there but I need to have a job”. The firing gossip turned out to be nothing, but the cut back at hours still stand.
To prevent job loss and help stop unemployment a process called “work sharing” has been developed according to the St. Petersburg Times, It’s an effort to cut back on layoffs by cutting down on workers hours and splitting them up, for instance instead of a an employee working five days a week they would work four and the extra day of hours would be split up to other workers. The Times goes on to describe that employees can then gain unemployment benefits for the hours they have lost, the work sharing idea makes sense and seems to work in the favor of people the employer and the employees. The employer gains by not having to lay-off valuable and experienced employees and the employees benefit by not take a detrimental loss to their hours worked, according to the St. Pete Times. Yet process is only described as a short time solution to what appears to be a long time problem though, the work sharing program falls under the “Short-Time Compensation” program developed by Florida state officials.
So what exactly is the long term solution to this problem of unemployment? Workers will eventually need their regular hours back to continue to live the way they did before the work sharing because the benefits of unemployment do not match their normal salaries and employers need to keep the costs of running their business to a minimum if they hope to make a profit. The only real solution to this problem is for the market to swing back to normal again so that people will start spending like they used too, but in the meantime hopefully work sharing will save a few people from losing their jobs.
To find out more about the work sharing program in Florida visit www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/uc_prog_stc.html.
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