Senior Class News Graduating Seniors Search for Future at BSU Job Fair By Lynette Campbell Bowie State University hosted its annual career fair April 14 that drew hundreds of job-seekers to the Martin Luther King Jr. Communications Arts Center. The Anne Arundel School System, Internal Revenue Service, National Archives Records Administration, Department of Treasury among others lured students with fancy floor displays, goodie bags, and pitches for professional success. As positive as the job fair may have been on campus, it didn't have the same effect on graduating seniors. With commencement on May 21, there is a constant reminder of the poor state of the global economy and how the bleak job market affects everyone individually. Recruiters such as the Department of Defense wanted at least two years' minimum experience in a given field. This is a requirement that is unrealistic to most graduates, especially when it is so difficult to break into the job market at the entry level. "It's rough out here," said Justin Carey, who graduated from BSU in December 2009. "Everybody should start looking for a career before graduation." Senior Class President Maya Newman said the tight job market means that she will continue to work at the Social Security Administration in a position she's held for the past two years while earning her bachelor's degree at Bowie State. It appears that many college students believe that furthering their education is the safest road to travel after undergraduate school. Several said that they plan to put off entering the world of work until after graduate school. A lot of students said they fear that after graduation, they will have to begin to repay student loans, which will be even harder in a dwindling job market. Even a paid internships aren't enough to pay the bills because employers want all work and no pay. As a result of the tough economy, soon-to-be graduates are making decisions based on how to pay the bills rather than what is best for their careers. But these are the times students live in, and they must act and do according to the times. | 
Speaking little English, Ji-Wu Jia came to the United States with his wife and son in 1989 from Beijing, China, a society that is much more open to the world now than years ago. Home to the 2008 Olympics, Beijing is also where Jia received a bachelor’s degree in computer programming from Beijing College of Economics.
Dr. O'Brien serves as coordinator of the organizational communications graduate program for Bowie State University's Department of Communications. Previously, she was an assistant professor and coordinator for the electronic media program in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University (GWU). She taught at GWU for nine years.
My experience has been extremely rewarding. I have made everlasting relationships with people and my teachers, coaches and other administrators are just wonderful. 
