Economy affects students' futures, UA professors say
Libbi Sturm
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: News
The skills that traditionally guaranteed a successful career, like becoming a medical doctor, having a law degree or obtaining a master's in business or finance, are no longer going to be the most favorable assets in the job market, a UA economics professor told students Monday, Feb. 23.
The definition of what makes a skill valuable is changing in this economy, because now even the glamorous jobs are being hurt, said professor Javier Reyes during a discussion session titled "These Tough Economic Times: The U.S. Economy and How it Affects Students," which was hosted by the UA Honors College.
Good skills are important, but because the economy is probably not going to recover with an attractive financial sector, investment banking won't be the same, so students can "forget about those options," economics professor Raja Kali said.
Reyes said the skills that are going to be in high demand now are those used in the environmental and sustainability fields, in international relations and in government jobs.
Federal jobs are going to be good places to look for something that is more secure and is interesting, Kali said.
There is always going to be a need for smart, educated people, he said.
Students wanting to insulate themselves from the effects of the less than favorable economy, Reyes said, should ask themselves if there is something they can do to differentiate their skills.
In the increasingly competitive job market, where even college graduates who get a job can lose it in a matter of weeks, students should consider earning a minor, taking an extra class or learning another language to be more specialized than their peers, Reyes said.
Su Jung Hong, a freshmen international business student, said she is doing everything she can to increase her skill level and her potential value to employers.
Hong is taking more math classes than are required and is planning on going straight to graduate school when she finishes her undergraduate degree.
The definition of what makes a skill valuable is changing in this economy, because now even the glamorous jobs are being hurt, said professor Javier Reyes during a discussion session titled "These Tough Economic Times: The U.S. Economy and How it Affects Students," which was hosted by the UA Honors College.
Good skills are important, but because the economy is probably not going to recover with an attractive financial sector, investment banking won't be the same, so students can "forget about those options," economics professor Raja Kali said.
Reyes said the skills that are going to be in high demand now are those used in the environmental and sustainability fields, in international relations and in government jobs.
Federal jobs are going to be good places to look for something that is more secure and is interesting, Kali said.
There is always going to be a need for smart, educated people, he said.
Students wanting to insulate themselves from the effects of the less than favorable economy, Reyes said, should ask themselves if there is something they can do to differentiate their skills.
In the increasingly competitive job market, where even college graduates who get a job can lose it in a matter of weeks, students should consider earning a minor, taking an extra class or learning another language to be more specialized than their peers, Reyes said.
Su Jung Hong, a freshmen international business student, said she is doing everything she can to increase her skill level and her potential value to employers.
Hong is taking more math classes than are required and is planning on going straight to graduate school when she finishes her undergraduate degree.
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