” With the economy facing difficult times, students at the University of Akron are beginning to consider relocating and graduate school as options to help them survive. Katey Warren, a freshman at the university, has taken the economy into consideration when making decisions.”
“

With the economy facing difficult times, students at the University of Akron are beginning to consider relocating and graduate school as options to help them survive.

Katey Warren, a freshman at the university, has taken the economy into consideration when making decisions.

Warren originally planned to major in nutrition until she realized how difficult it would be to find a job in the field fresh out of college.

I switched my major to physical therapy because physical therapists have a bunch of job opportunities, and they make money, Warren said. I’m planning to go to grad school to better my chances of getting a job and getting more money.

Warren plans to go to technical school and become a massage therapist if finding a job in physical therapy proves difficult.

She is also taking the job market into consideration when deciding whether to relocate after graduation. She says she wants to move south. She said there are more job opportunities in the South than anywhere in Ohio.

Junior Shaina Pearlman said the economic situation shouldn’t affect her career field dramatically. I didn’t consider the economy when choosing my major. I feel like there will always be media, so the job outlook can’t be that bad, she said.

Pearlman said the economy did affect her decision to come to Akron because she is a commuter. She took gas prices into consideration when choosing to come to Akron.

Like Warren, Pearlman is planning to relocate after graduation. She plans to move to New York or California because those states are where she can find the best job opportunities in her field.

If the economy doesn’t change for the better I won’t have a job once I graduate, freshman Jennie Peterson said.

Peterson, a dance major planning to add a second major and a minor in business, said she was nervous about finding a job once she graduates. I’m very nervous because it’s hard to make it in the dance world to begin with. It’s going to be even harder for me because I’m planning to open my own studio, which will be a small business, Peterson said. When asked about the economy in general for dancers, Peterson answered, It’s scary but hopeful.

Peterson said she considered the economic situation when deciding her minor. I’m planning to minor in some type of entrepreneurship because I know I can’t make it as a dance major alone.

I know a lot of dance majors who own studios and they’re all getting extremely hurt by the economy; they’re barely making it, Peterson said.

Peterson plans to continue her education after attending Akron for four years. I want to go to graduate school to get a master’s in special education. Special education would be my second career I could use to help make it in this economy. Special education teachers make a lot more than dancers. Also, I think I may need two jobs to keep up with this economy, she said.

Peterson said once she graduates from college, she will be returning to her hometown in Maryland to live with her family. She said she knows she’s going to need help from her parents. I can’t live alone in this economy fresh out of college.

“