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Job seekers looking hard to climb wall built by economy
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Leon Hopkins of Youngstown looks for work at Mahoning County One Stop in Boardman. With him is Arelis Laviena, One Sop Facilitator.
By Elise Franco
The economy has been so tough lately that finding a job is almost a job itself.
Gone are the days when fresh-faced college graduates find work within a few weeks or months of being handed their diploma.
Gary Boley, Youngstown State University’s director of career and counseling services, said pre-graduation internships are a great way to get a foot in the door.
“All research indicates that internships are the best way to secure a job,” he said.
Jesseca Wolfenbarger, 23, of Atwater, and Megan Edmonson-Lapmardo, 29, of Warren, are two perfect examples.
Both women graduated from YSU in May. Both had internships working in their respective fields. Both have secured jobs.
Edmonson-Lapmardo said she took an internship with the Community Corrections Association in Youngstown.
“I didn’t have to, but I was seven semester hours short, so I either took the internship or another class,” she said. “It absolutely benefited me because, honestly without that, I don’t think I would have a job right now.”
Edmonson-Lapmardo, who graduated with a criminal-justice degree, said she was nervous to be unemployed.
“I was terrified of the job market and not being able to find something,” she said. “I sent my r sum to at least 10 or 15 places in the community, but I never heard anything from anybody.”
Wolfenbarger, who has a forensic- science degree, said she got lucky while interning at Toxicology Enterprises in Warren. She said she was asked to stay on after a paid position opened up.
Despite her success, Wolfenbarger said it’s been difficult for many of her friends.
“It’s hard; you can put your r sum out there and kind of hope for the best,” she said. “You can get a phone interview, then another, then another, but you don’t end up getting the job.
“I know a friend who has traveled around the country, and she hasn’t found a job in the field.”
Edmonson-Lapmardo said she’s seen the same thing among friends in her graduating class. She said fewer people have jobs right out of college than she anticipated.
“I actually only know one person who has found a job right out,” she said.
Bill Turner, work force administrator for Trumbull County One Stop, said the job market has become more competitive, especially for those just entering the work force.
“Right now everybody is kind of looking for work,” he said. “You must be persistent and be flexible and be open to anything.”
One person who is living that motto is Leon Hopkins, 33, of Youngstown.
Hopkins said he’s been out of work for about six months but has spent that time searching for employment and making the decision to go back to school.
“It’s been horrible not having work, but I’ve been doing some side jobs to get by,” he said. “I’m out every day looking for something. I don’t slouch.”
Hopkins said he uses One Stop on U.S. Route 224 in Boardman as well as newspaper job advertisements as his search tools.
“I get up at about 8 a.m. every day, and I get going taking my r sum around,” he said. “I usually don’t stop until around 3.”
The decision to finish college and earn a degree in marketing was one that Hopkins said came after talking with family members about his options.
“Employers are looking for people with some type of schooling,” he said. “I should have realized that a while back, but I do now.”
Boley at YSU said students who look for employment through on-campus recruiters will face more competition as well.
“With the economy taking a dive and there being less hiring, we’re seeing less recruiting on campus,” he said. “The employers are hiring fewer people. Instead of hiring four or five, they’re hiring one or two.”
One Stop’s Turner said including fields related to the job seeker’s degree — but not an exact match — will help broaden the search.
“Basically, right now you’ll probably look at anything available,” he said. “Get out there, and pound the pavement. Get those r sum s into the hands of people who can hire.”
Though Wolfenbarger and Edmonson-Lapmardo have found employment, they both know they’re not quite out of the woods.
Both women said they owe several thousand dollars in student loans but plan to deal with that when the time comes.
“It’s been a big concern for me because I do owe the government quite a bit of money,” Wolfenbarger said. “I am working three jobs right now, so I think I will be able to handle it.”
Edmonson-Lapmardo said though paying student loans is undesirable, it’s necessary.
“To be honest with you, I’ll get that bill in nine months,” she said. “It’s going to be just like a car payment for the next 20 years. It’s there, and I just have to pay it.”
efranco@vindy.com