JACKSON, Miss. — Holland Familia has experienced the ups and downs of the job market since graduating from Mississippi State University four years ago.
Since last May, she’s worked as marketing director and regional manager for Material Girls, a women’s clothing boutique with three locations in the state.
She’s also had jobs that didn’t pan out, including one with an advertising agency that ended in a layoff.
She says her alma mater’s career center has helped her consistently since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
“Even if they can’t find you a job, they can help,” Familia says. “A lot of alumni don’t know this resource exists.”
Downsizing has left many college graduates searching for a job or contemplating a new career. And campus placement offices are seeing more graduates returning for assistance.
Nationally, unemployment stands at 4.2 percent for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In January 2007, the last January before the recession began, the rate was 2.1 percent.
