OK, so I'm not really saying we should all be journalists, but I couldn't help but think we can all learn a lot by watching how they shape, and re-shape their careers in the midst of change. Despite the rapid decline of mainstream media, enrollment in journalism programs is up 35% across the country! Why? Because there is opportunity created while the industry is remaking itself. Getting involved in this state of transition is an opportunity to redefine the industry! See any connections between what is happening in the media industry and out economy...

Graduates Brace For Worst Job Market In Years http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103862921&sc=fb&cc=fp NPR's article talks about the current job market being the worst in modern memory. This can be a scary thought for graduating seniors. Companies are hiring though, they are just hiring fewer people. This means students really need to do their due diligence if they want to find a job. Networking, polishing your resume, and sharpening your resume skills are all very crucial to stand out in the current job market. Times will eventually look up, but until then keep working hard!

The Office of Personnel Management with the federal government has added a new search feature to usajobs.gov. You can now search for "Recovery Jobs." These are jobs created by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (or the stimulus package). To find these jobs, go to http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/a9recoveryjobs.asp. Here is a sampling of the jobs you might find: Agency    Job Veterans Affairs    Claims Assistant Labor    Contract Specialist, Architect, Program Analyst Veterans Affairs    File Clerk Veterans Affairs    Veterans Service Representative Labor    Work Force Analyst Labor    Work Force Development Specialist Energy     Mechanical Engineer U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service    Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Endangered Species National Institutes of Health    Grants Management Specialist Housing and Urban Development    Community Planning and Development Specialist, Grants...

CSU Associate Professor of Economics, Martin Shields talks about Northern Colorado's Economy:   http://www.today.colostate.edu/story.aspx?id=1236  

The recession has hit the American job market hard, with annual job loss rate at its highest since the end of World War II. But as our economy struggles, I can't help but think, this a blessing in disguise.   The booming economy in the 1950's allowed American's to build, build and build. This led to the unfortunate destruction of our environment and its vital ecosystems, as well as increased carbon emissions.   But now things are taking an interesting twist. The economic downturn is taking down polluting businesses all over the world. The Baikal Pulp and Paper...

 I think Liz Ryan, well-known HR Expert and Consultant based in Boulder, CO hit the nerve about finding a good career position in this challenging economy.  Who's Getting Hired Right Now? There are jobs to be had  but you won't read about themPosted by: "Liz Ryan" liz@asklizryan.com   lizinboulder Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:54 pm (PDT) A friend just got hired this week as Director of Communications at a state university. Another one just started a Director-level job at a major foundation and a third took the reins as head of customer support and training at a logistics firm. People...

A great article from Quintessential Careers on tips to tackle a search in these tough times  http://www.quintcareers.com/job-search_advice.html

This article from Fast Company provides a different perspective to what we are experiencing with the economy.   Two Cheers for the Four-Day Workweek | posted by Anya Kamenetz   In the downturn, more companies are cutting labor costs without layoffs by scaling back the amount of time their employees work: four-day workweeks, unpaid vacation, and forced furloughs. Unlike the disappearance of 401(k) contributions, this development has a silver lining. Environmentalists, feminists, and work-life balance advocates have been saying for decades that Americans' breakneck work schedule is bad for people and the planet.  There's a "Take Back Your Time Day" movement; Moms...

  These notes come from Phil Gardner’s presentation at MPACE in San Diego on recruiting trends for 2008 – 2009 December 10, 2008. His research can be found at Michigan State University web site www.ceri.msu.edu as he offers up some thoughts for students on the job market and what his research shows is important to employers and what students need to know as they immerse themselves into their job search. How do you find sustainable/green industries companies? You can look for 100 fastest growing sustainable/environmental companies in a Google search. Most of these companies hire on an “as need” basis, however many are...

As the economy worsens, what happens to your career? Headhunters say accountants are safe -- ad execs, not so much. An interesting article from Fast Company that I thought some might be interested in. Read more at… http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/09/wall-street-careers.html   Source: Fast Company Magazine Posted by: Kelley Madden, CVMBS Career Center Liaison

By Meg Roberts on www.brazencareerist.com I recently wrote about my internship and how positive that experience was in my transition from college life to corporate America. Now, I have completed my first week as a salaried employee in the real world. What's even better? I'm pretty sure I've landed my dream job at New Media Strategies. So how did I do it? Easy – I built up a personal and a digital network, discovered what I was passionate about, and did a lot of research to find a position that would challenge me and fit my criteria for workplace values....

It's well known that the current generation of college students and graduates is service oriented. As you approach graduation, you may want to consider taking some time to make a difference in the world through organizations like Teach for America, Peace Corps, and Americorps. Check out this Wall Street Journal article about doing just that: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121503662915324339.html?mod=2_1559_leftbox. Build your skills, add experience, make a difference . . . sounds like a plan! Posted by Barbara Diehl, WCNR Career Center Liaison

Employers expect to hire 8 percent more new college graduates from the Class of 2008 than they hired from the Class of 2007, according to the "Job Outlook 2008 Spring Update" report of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Despite that positive outlook, the current negative economic climate has had an effect on the hiring prospects of new college graduates. In fact, although hiring projections remain positive, they have cooled off since the fall of 2007, when employers projected a 16 percent increase in college hiring for the Class of 2008. That drop off, however, is tempered by the...

Despite the gloomy statistics, the hiring picture isn't all bad. Health care and sales are hot areas, but engineering and IT may well be the brightest spots. By Bridget Mintz Testa Class of 2008 graduates who neglected to search for and accept a job during their senior year will likely be kicking themselves as summer wears on.     "If a college grad didn't start looking until April or May, he or she likely won't have a job this summer," says Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, a global network of 15,000 job boards. "The smart ones started looking in the winter...

From Yahoo! Hotjobs: Don't Panic: The Right Job Is Just Around the Corner by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs Fuel prices are up. Food prices, too. And don't forget foreclosures. The U.S. is still at war and unemployment has reached 5.5%. It's the real-life equivalent of "Lions and tigers and bears!" But, oh my, does a job seeker really have to think the worst is yet to come -- if it isn't already here? Nah! Don't focus too much on the bad news. There's plenty of good news -- and good jobs -- out there. John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray...