Recent recessions, crises and industry crashes have not only taken a toll on the economy but also on the labor market.Eva F. Gabbe, program manager for recruitment programs with Sacramento State’s Career Center, said major events like the September 11 tragedy, corporate scandals and impending war with Iraq affect the economy, which then alters job availability.But it was not always this way, according to Gabbe.

“We have had a great economy for the past eight years, where there were lots of jobs and growth in many industries,” Gabbe said.

Trouble began with the recession in March 2000, according to Gabbe. Many industries found themselves trying to reconfigure their goals and mission statements, which ultimately meant numerous layoffs.

Corporate scandals added to the loss of jobs because big companies like Arthur Andersen, once a major accounting firm, lost its license to practice and folded, according to Gabbe.The crash of the dot.com industry – a slow funneling effect – found its way to impact other major industries as well.

Gabbe said that as a result we now face similar problematic issues in industries like insurance, airline and accounting. With downsizing on corporate America’s mind, job unavailability means job competition is fierce for the few ones left in the labor market.

“It is now an employer’s market,” Gabbe said. “They are demanding top skills, abilities and work experience to be even considered a viable candidate for hire.”

Cici Mattiuzzi, director of career services for the College of Engineering and Computer Science, echoed Gabbe’s sentiments.”About 8 to 10 years ago, engineering and computer science fields required a person to have only a heartbeat and a technical degree in order to get the job,” Mattiuzzi said.

According to Gabbe, jobs that are in high demand now are in the fields of sales and accounting.

“Accounting is necessary, but sales is the bread and butter,” Gabbe said. “A company cannot afford cutbacks here because this is what makes a company stronger.”

High tech is the weaker field now with whole technological companies crashing, Gabbe said.

Jobs arise from the necessity of response to events like the energy crisis, Mattiuzzi continued. Currently, several energy companies are hiring because of legislation that has called for more energy.

In the end, however, Gabbe admits, no particular field is 100 percent safe from change and that people need to continually gain and improve their skills in order to keep up with competition.”Students will find that they will need additional strategies to find employment in 2003,” Gabbe said. “Students should visit their career centers for additional plans.”

Looking through the classifieds is no longer enough. Students should take on additional strategies like awareness of current events inside and outside of school, internships, networking or anything else that would allow for exposure in desired fields.According to Gabbe, the labor market is a cycle and, although we are in a recession, the economy will level off with more job availability.

“Education is the key to the future,” Gabbe said. “Without a degree, opportunities are limited.”

Sac State Career Center: www.csus.edu/careercenter