With Jobs Scarce, Grads Turn To Uncle Sam

(CBS)  As college senior Wai Chang works out, it's clear that his job search has gotten physical.

"I'm trying to do my best to promote myself," he said. "It's changing; it's definitely a changing world."

Chang's first employment choice - investment banking - hasn't been loaded with jobs lately, so he's training for an employer who is: the F.B.I.

Chang's plight reflects a trend that shows fewer college students leaving campus with jobs.

A new national survey of 7,000 graduates found that 19.7 percent found a job. That's down 51 percent from 2007.

However, while most employers are cutting back, it seems that Uncle Sam is looking to hire. That's why City College of New York held the school's first ever job fair for strictly government jobs.

Jobs that once seemed boring and bureaucratic to recent graduates like Chang now look more appealing.

"I think [government jobs are going to be more appealing]," said Eric Evans, an engineering major. "Unless somebody from the private sector calls me and offers me a job."

"Teach for America," which places college graduates in the neediest public schools, received more than 35,000 applicants this year, an increase of 42 percent over last year.

Elyse Ross, a senior at Barnard College, will teach in New York City this fall.

"I think people, especially with the recession and everything collapsing, they're re-thinking what they want after college," she said.

It's good for the country…and the resume.

"People are looking at this as an alternative and it is an excellent alternative, employers really respect the skills that you get from working in these settings," said Laurence Shatkin, the author of 200 Best Jobs for College Graduates.

[history4u]

Does it not scare anyone that the Government is becoming the largest employer ( In some areas the ONLY employer)?
Does anyone here in America, includIng President Obama, know their History of the World? Remember, Russia's government was once the only employer as well, during the time of "COMMUNISM"!
I cannot believe just how gullible the American people are today! They are totally clueless with regards to what and how the Change that they were so passionate about voting for in November, is going to affect them down the road.
If we are not careful, every aspect of everything that you do every day will be dictated by our Federal Governement.
Of course, don't take my word for it! KNOW your History and ASK questions!
Do you really want to have every move you make dictated by your Federal government?
WAKE UP AMERICA!

[caligula1--2008]

The President DID say, implicitly if not explicitly, that the only stimulus really created by his recent "economic" bills are in the area of larger government, not stimulus in the PRIVATE sector, which is, of course, just another way of "redistributing the wealth".