Graduating Journalism Majors May Find Tough Market

Human Element
Another set of journalism students are getting ready to head out into the real world and are looking for jobs. Now may not be the best time since the United States is in a recession, but work needs to be found. Soon-to-be graduate Heather Lawson is amongst this crowd.

Lawson has tried to do everything to boost her chances of standing out in the resume pool, but she thinks that she may not have done enough to ensure success.

“I’ve had three internships. I’m double majoring in public relations and non-profit management and am minoring in women’s studies,” Lawson explains. “I’m looking for a job now, so I can beat the rush after graduation.”

Lawson has had a couple of job offers, but they pay little more than the paid internship she held while in college. Still, there are a couple of months left before she graduates so she is hopeful something will come along soon.

“Luckily my mother helps me out a lot. Although, I don’t want to live with her forever,” Lawson jokes.

News/Impact
With the United States in recession, journalism majors may have some trials looking for employment after graduation.

According to the 2008 Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication conducted by the University of Georgia, journalism graduates reported about a 14% decline in securing a job after their graduation. Advertising and public relation majors reported lower numbers indicating the job market in these areas are more prevalent.

Through their own study, The University of Oklahoma’s Career Services website also indicates the availability of public relations and advertising internships. Although numbers were down from the 2005-06 school year, public relations and advertising majors had more on-campus interviews than any other field in the journalism department in 2007. These results dramatically changed in 2008, when journalism majors were the most interviewed, increasing from 10 to 57 on-campus interviews.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the job markets in large metropolitan areas may be difficult to find due to the competition in these areas. They suggest that entry-level journalism majors may find more prospects in the small local newspaper market, which is just what some recent graduates are doing.

“Officially I’m a reporter with the Sapulpa Daily Herald,” said Angenene Kendrick, a 2009 public relations graduate from the University of Oklahoma. “But, I’m learning the production end and editorial.”

The University of Oklahoma reported big findings in their 2008 assessment. Almost 80% of graduates in 2002 and 2007 reported having a job involving communications.

Context
Last year, Forbes magazine reported Oklahoma as one of the recession proof cities, meaning good news for employers and employees in the state.

Forbes took their findings from a combination of median home prices, unemployment rates and past performance. Oklahoma City ranked the highest. With Oklahoma currently ranked at 17th in the nation’s unemployment rank according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the local cost of living is lower than most places in the United States.

Some companies are taking advantage of this situation.

“We are moving a lot of jobs from our home office in Omaha [Neb.] to our Oklahoma City office. The quality of people you can find for the lower wage is much better,” said Darren Mefford, the Oklahoma City site director at West Business Services. “We signed a new contract with our client, AT&T and are hiring for several teams in Oklahoma City.”

Some other job functions might be incredibly hit by the current economic situation.

Terry Neese Personnel, a local staffing service specializing in providing jobs in the legal profession is seeing a decline in law offices looking for staff.

“We’re just really slow right now,” explains Vicki Grider, Terry Neese marketing director.

People looking for jobs in this field are feeling the crunch too.

Job hunter, Katherine Elias, who recently moved to Oklahoma City from Dallas, Texas explains, “Lawyers are claiming they are losing money because no one is paying them for their legal services.”

Even though most journalists need experience to qualify for most major newspapers, some smaller newspapers are struggling with lower readership and advertising. The Oklahoma Press Association reported the closing of the Midwest City Sun after almost 30 years of production.

Stories like this could cause some concern for entry-level journalists looking for jobs. The good news reported by the University of Georgia study is for those who find jobs are not being paid less.

What’s Next
Journalism majors might need to practice some unconventional means when job hunting.

“We do get some event planning, public relations and marketing jobs through here sometimes,” explains Leigh Wright with Addison Staffing. “Not often though.”

Since experience is a big key to find a career in the journalism field, students should take advantage of the many internships offered through their college. In 2008, OU’s career services offered 931 internships and full time positions for journalism and mass communication majors.

“Most employers won’t even consider you if you have no experience. You’ll be offered an internship instead, usually this is non-paid. If you have to pay bills, this doesn’t work,” Lawson said.

Organization websites are also a good source for job hunters. Associations like the Public Relations Society of America [PRSA] and the Oklahoma Press Association have job search links that can help narrow down the focus.

“Join the PRSA and go to the meetings. That’s the best way to find out about jobs in the public relations field,” said Maria Kilroy, a 2008 graduate who landed a communication specialist job with Cox Communications. “If they don’t see you, they don’t know you and you’re competing for one job with 80 other people.”

The Gaylord College holds meeting for the student PRSA organization every Wednesday to help prepare students for their job hunt. Also, the various mass communication organizations support several workshops throughout the year to help build interviewing skills.

Career Services can be accessed through their website, hiresooner.com. Internship and job opportunities are listed on their website. Journalism majors can also contact Heather Spencer, the Careers and Internships Counselor for the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at OU.

Detour to Asp Avenue Parking Garage

Due to the U2 concert, northbound Asp Ave. has been closed all week leaving access to the parking garage dependent on the South Oval causing traffic problems for some students.

The major concert coming to Oklahoma has been scheduled for several months. Tickets were sold early in the summer for discount student tickets to see U2 in concert at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Monday morning an e-mail was sent with temporary parking procedures by the Asp Ave. parking facilities. No parking is allowed on the street outside the facilities, and access to the garage has been diverted to the South Oval.

“I got her at 9 [a.m.] this morning, traffic was crazy,” said OU student Ronnie Carrillo. “I thought I was going to be late to class!”

The concert will be causing Gaylord Hall to be shut down, as well. Students can gain access to the labs with a student ID by calling the lab technician on duty. The street will be reopened on Monday.

Sign outside the Women's Outreach Center in the Student Union, Room 247


The Women's Outreach Center Exceeds Goal for Race for the Cure

The University of Oklahoma's Women's Outreach Center [WOC] has exceeded it's donation goal for this year's Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure where about 50 OU students and faculty will be walking to support breast cancer research.

This year, the WOC's theme was "Walk with the WOC," to help gather support and volunteers to walk for OU's team. Their goal was to raise $800 for the breast cancer research foundation , Susan G. Komen, founded 25 years ago. The WOC team raised $1010, exceeding their goal by over $200. October is breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Women's Outreach Center at the University of Oklahoma is finishing final preparations for the annual Race for the Cure event.

"We have basically everything finished," explains WOC administrative assistant Teresa Schuster. "Students are just stopping by to pick up their shirts for tomorrow."

The WOC will have a booth and display in front of the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City to answer questions and hand out information. Registration for the Race begins at 7:00 a.m. Oct. 10 and the race begins at 8:15 a.m.

Disc golfer heading into woods at N.E. Lions park.

Poison Ivy Irritates Disc Golfers at Local Parks

The wooded area at the popular N.E. Lions disc golf park is infested with poison ivy making some disc golfers break out in allergic reactions.

Poison Ivy grows naturally in the state of Oklahoma. According to webmd.com when poison ivy comes into contact with skin, the oil it produces called, urushiol can cause a rash with red, itchy bumps. With the recent heavy rains and mild climate, the plant is growing incredibly fast. Norman offers three disc golf courses, Colonial Estates, Griffin Park, and N.E. Lions Park. All three disc golf courses have wooded areas that may be infested with the plant.

“If it is an improved portion of the park, we will [clear out poison ivy], but not if it is in the bushes,” said Sheryl from the Norman parks and recreation office. “We just don’t have the chemical budget to do that.”

WebMD suggests washing the area of contact separately, rather than washing it in the shower as the oil from the soap can help the plant oil to spread. Avoiding the plant or wearing long sleeves, pants and gloves can also prevent an allergic reaction.

OU Sponsors Farmer's Market

The University of Oklahoma’s "Look Local" week-long event rounds out with a farmer’s market where students can purchase organic foods from local vendors.

OU’s housing and food services sponsored the activities from Sept. 21-25 raising awareness of social responsibility and eco-education. Events included several anniversaries of campus restaurants and a recycling competition between dorm residents. The farmer’s market was held Thurs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Walker-Adams Mall, showcasing several local farmed and baked products.

“This is great!” said OU student Heather Anderson. “I picked up some stuff after class. I’m trying to teach my daughter to eat healthy.”

OU offers several choices for students throughout the year for local and organic dining. Since it’s opening last year, The Laughing Tomato located in the Student Union has been serving locally grown products in about 15% of its items.

Apartment Complex Cracks Down on Student Parkers

Students who park in the Bishop’s Landing Parking lot may find their car ticketed or towed when they get out of class, these charges could cost more than a campus parking permit.

Bishop’s Landing Apartments is located on Brooks and Trout, the closest apartment complex to campus. Residents are supplied with parking tags to park in the parking lot. Any cars not displaying their parking pass will be ticketed. Repeat offenders can be impounded. The city of Norman issues 14,000 parking tickets a year with a maximum fine of $750.

“We notice there is illegal parking once our residents start complaining about no place to park,” said Louise Hammersly, Manager of Bishop’s Landing apartment complex.

The University of Oklahoma offers over 10,000 parking spaces with several parking permit options. Annual parking permits cost $195 and can be purchased in Robertson Hall, room 311.

The weekend is over, but the rain isn’t going to stop before classes begin again on Monday.

The National Weather Service has predicted the rain to continue until Wednesday afternoon. With Mesonet.org reporting an accumulation of 1.54 inches of rainfall in the past three days, Norman has been put under a flood watch.

“People were getting stuck up by the railroad tracks,” said Matt Dean, a tow truck driver for L & A Wrecker who was working overtime during Saturday’s game. “The tow trucks were getting stuck trying to tow them out!”

Although current road conditions are clear, it is always important to take proper precautions in case of flood. The National Weather Service urges everyone to avoid areas that are already flooded and being especially cautious at night.

Library Offers Students More Spanish Practice

For students who feel they need more practice with their foreign language requirements, the Norman Public Lirary will be offering free Spanish classes this month for anyone interested in attending.

the Spanish classes have been held for several years and are taught in Spanish to familiarize students with the language. There is no experience level required since the classes range from beginner to advanced levels.

"I'm going to try to attend as many classes as I can," said Brian Foster, an
engineering student at the University of Oklahoma. "I'm taking Spanish
as my foreign language requirement and it's hard to find places to practice
outside of classes."

Classes will start Sept. 10 at the Norman Public Library and will meet every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 8. There is no registration for the class and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, please contact the Norman Public Library at 405-701-2620.