Riding out the economy by staying in school might be the best option

By: Jordan Grummer

Posted: 4/29/09

There is no silver lining to the current economic crisis, but there are still several opportunities for jobs, two U of A economics professors, said during a session for graduate students.

"If you can continue school, it may be the best option," said Javier Reyes, associate economics professor. There is more competition at every level, from more experienced people looking for jobs to getting accepted into graduate school, he said.

Raja Kali, associate economics professor, agreed.

"You're insulated when you're in school," Kali said.

The economic crisis of today is beginning to look more like what happened in the 1930s, Reyes said.

"We don't know where we're headed," he said. "We're already past the dot-com failure."

Both professors offered tips for students who might not have the chance to attend grad school.

"You should look into jobs with the federal government, like the Department of Justice, the State Department and the CIA," Kali said. "These are good jobs, with good money, doing interesting things."

For students with bachelor's degrees, federal government jobs are the best bet for the top-five in-demand majors, according to www.jobweb.com. Accounting, mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science and business administration/management are the top five majors, according to the Web site.

There also is a demand for international relations students, Reyes said.

"President Barack Obama has said this country is ready to lead again, and that can only be achieved through strong partnerships with other countries," Reyes said in a follow-up interview.

International relations students will be the ones with the skills to rebuild the bridges with other countries, Reyes said.

These students will become even more important in the push for alternative energy, Kali said. More than half of the world's lithium, the mineral used to power hybrid and electric cars, is found in Bolivia, and they aren't giving it up so easily, according to a Feb. 2009 Herald Tribune story.

Another way to be prepared is to be informed, Kali said. Understanding the economy will give [students] an advantage when going into job interviews, Reyes said.

"It can help in many ways, one of my friend's first question in a recent interview was, 'What do you think of the economy?'" Reyes said. "It will make you appear that you are educated and that you care."