College students looking for summer jobs this year may have a hard time finding one. The tough economy and even tighter job market have many students scrambling to find work.
"A lot of the places that I am applying to require some experience and I have absolutely none," said Sarah Chaung, a University of Houston freshman.
The Hotel and Restaurant Management major is like so many college students looking for a summer job, but finding little to no opportunity.
"You can't find a job. Everywhere I apply they say they are hiring, but they never call you back," said Ify Obigbo. The college junior says she's been looking for a job for more than a month now.
With the national unemployment rate at 8.9% many traditional summer jobs have dried up. Students are finding they are competing for fewer jobs.
"I had ten interviews, only three have called me back for a second interview,"Kingsley Iheke, a University of Houston Accounting student.
There is some good news on the horizon, according to Brett Hobby, Director of Employer Service at Bauer College of Business.
"We had a little bit of a downturn on the number of job postings coming through this semester. Most notably in February, but in March we picked backup and seem to be doing pretty well," said Hobby.
He recommends students take advantage of their career center to search for summer employment or internship programs.
"Now more than every, it is so important that students utilize the networks they have," said Hobby.
Students also need to be flexible, Chaung is getting ready for an interview as a restaurant server to get some experience in the hotel and restaurant industry.
"I guess you just have to look for places willing to train you," said Chaung.
She says she'll also look into volunteering at a local homeless shelter to get her foot in the door.
"A lot of the places that I am applying to require some experience and I have absolutely none," said Sarah Chaung, a University of Houston freshman.
The Hotel and Restaurant Management major is like so many college students looking for a summer job, but finding little to no opportunity.
"You can't find a job. Everywhere I apply they say they are hiring, but they never call you back," said Ify Obigbo. The college junior says she's been looking for a job for more than a month now.
With the national unemployment rate at 8.9% many traditional summer jobs have dried up. Students are finding they are competing for fewer jobs.
"I had ten interviews, only three have called me back for a second interview,"Kingsley Iheke, a University of Houston Accounting student.
There is some good news on the horizon, according to Brett Hobby, Director of Employer Service at Bauer College of Business.
"We had a little bit of a downturn on the number of job postings coming through this semester. Most notably in February, but in March we picked backup and seem to be doing pretty well," said Hobby.
He recommends students take advantage of their career center to search for summer employment or internship programs.
"Now more than every, it is so important that students utilize the networks they have," said Hobby.
Students also need to be flexible, Chaung is getting ready for an interview as a restaurant server to get some experience in the hotel and restaurant industry.
"I guess you just have to look for places willing to train you," said Chaung.
She says she'll also look into volunteering at a local homeless shelter to get her foot in the door.
