SALT LAKE CITY University graduates are facing two harsh realities. Jobs are still hard to find and student debt is at a record high.
(Media-Newswire.com) - University graduates are facing two harsh realities. Jobs are still hard to find and student debt is at a record high.
They're looking at paying back an average of $22,900 in student loans nationwide, according to National Center for Education. Couple this with the sluggish economy and it makes for a very hard introduction to the professional world.
Sarah Jackman is one of the newest graduates from the University of Utah with $6,200 in student loans to pay off.
She started her job search three weeks ago. "I haven't had any response," said Jackman. "Your response?" asked ABC 4's Noah Bond. "I'm not surprised actually," she replied.
She's not surprised because four out of every 10 University of Utah graduates still need a job, according to career services director, Stan Inman.
Inman wrote in an economic article for the University, "Undergraduate students who are walking in this year's University of Utah ( the U ) commencement can breathe a little easier knowing the job outlook is "slowly rebounding.'"
Students can't breathe that much easier. Utah's overall average job growth rate is 3.3 percent. The current job growth rate is 2.1 percent.
The slow recovery is forcing qualified graduates like to look at other options.
"A lot are staying and going on to grad school. Others are delaying graduation another year," said University of Utah's Director of Alumni Relations, John Fackler.
Hundreds of University of Utah graduates with degrees are forced to work minimum wage earning jobs until the economy picks up.
"I'm just going to keep applying. I mean I'm sure that eventually I can get an interview or something," said Jackman.
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