A college senior is much like a skydiver waiting to take flight: to jump or not to jump? To stay with what is comfortable and familiar or to take a leap of faith into an unsure job market? That is a question haunting many seniors’ minds as graduation approaches. While some make plans to move back to the comfort of their parents’ homes others are more than eager to leave this oasis on the hill for a life of independence.
A recent poll by Twentysomething Inc. a research firm based in Philadelphia found that 85 percent of college graduates move back in with their parents post-graduation. This percentage shows a steady climb from 67 percent in 2006 and about 55 percent in the years preceding. Though on a positive note there has been a 21 percent increase in the hiring of college graduates in the past year.
So why are there so many grads living back at home? Well it’s a tough job market and few students have the financial means to support themselves right out of college. CNN Money even coined this generation’s grads the “boomerang” kids returning back to the nest from where they began.
This begs the crucial question: Are students more willing to move home nowadays because of the financial support that they may receive from their parents or because they are simply not ready to live independently?
Some students such as recent graduate Jeff Loveness are already making strides toward their goals while endeavoring to be self-sufficient by getting help from friends along the way. Whereas others like senior Rachel Williams plan to live at home while they work toward their goals.
According to Amy Adams director of the Career Center taking advantage of the multiple opportunities offered right here at Pepperdine will help students to feel less overwhelmed when it comes time to join the job hunt.
“We offer a number of services for all of our students including seniors and alumni Adams explained. Even though graduation is in four weeks all of the services that we offer are still available to our grads even once they have officially walked across the stage.”
From mock interviews to resume evaluations the Career Center provides the tools to help students make their transitions from college to “the real world.”
Multiple resources like Career Space allow students to search for specific jobs in their areas of expertise. Additionally a newer source sub grouped within LinkedIn a career networking site allows students to create profiles of their professional skills and connect with Pepperdine alumni.
“[LinkedIn] is used for networking so it’s similar to other social media like Facebook in that you connect to friends and colleagues Adams said. But it’s really used for professional reasons. The profile you develop is a professional profile. You would connect with people that you maybe wouldn’t add on Facebook.”
Out of all the advice she suggested for graduating seniors Adams explained that meeting with a career counselor would be the best place to start.
“If I were to highlight one thing for the next four weeks it would be to come in and meet with a counselor Adams said. Because they’re really going to be able to tailor the conversation to your own experience in terms of your job search process and where you are at individually.”
Despite the pressures of finding a job and gaining enough monetary means to chase those dreams students explained that having the ability to pursue their passions is their number one motivator.
“I’m definitely feeling the pressure that all seniors are in this economy not just to find a job but a worthwhile job Loveness said. You want to have a nice introduction to the world.”
Loveness has been working with the Onion News network doing freelance writing while he also pursues acting jobs. For his type of career he explained he was limited by location he could reside.
“I didn’t always have the plan to be an actor Loveness said. I came here as a history major but that was always the dream. So when I decided to finally pursue [acting] I knew I would have to live in Los Angeles.”
While Loveness seeks employment in the creative realm Rachel Williams plans to work on missionary projects after graduation. Though she will be traveling to Argentina to help orphans make the transition from youth to adulthood she will be living at home while she is in this country.
“I think in the past living at home as an adult carried a stigma that you weren’t doing things with your life but now I think it means that you are simply resourceful while doing things with your life Williams said. I think it is really cool. So many other countries around the world have families of several generations who live and work together.”
“[The high percentage of grads moving home] doesn’t shock me at all Williams said. I think there are normally two reasons. First it is cheaper to live at home. Second I know for some people it is because they have been gone for almost four years straight and miss their families. I know that is my case I miss my family.”
While reading this article you may even be struck by the fact that you have not started to plan for life after Pepperdine. The good news is it’s not too late.
“For our seniors’ [the goal] is not letting fear get the best of you and recognizing that there is so much that can help you in that process Adams said. You don’t have to do it alone. You could be a senior four weeks from graduation saying ‘I don’t know what I want to do with my life’ and that’s ok you’re not alone.”