Finding a job in Sacramento after graduation could continue tobe a challenge for students, according to the CSUS Forecast of theSacramento Region.

The report, developed by the California Institute for CountyGovernment, indicates that Sacramento is losing jobs at a rate of0.99 percent. At this time last year, the job rate was on the riseby 2 percent. The national job decline is 0.34 percent.

The government sector, which traditionally stabilizes theeconomy of the region and keeps unemployment rates above the stateand national level, is also losing a significant number ofjobs.

The Forecast predicts that job gains in the private sector willoffset the losses by late next year and job growth will resume nextfall.

Economics professor Suzanne O’Keefe, who was involved indeveloping the forecast, said students graduating this fall mayfind it hard to get jobs and more will choose to go to graduateschool.

“The job market is so tight right now,”O’Keefe said. “Students will have to choose differentoptions, like graduate school.”

Liberal studies senior Crystal Anderson is not applying forgraduate school, but said she is not worried about the job marketin Sacramento.

“I don’t want a job in Sacramento anyway,”Anderson said. “I’ll be applying for jobs in othercities, because I’ve lived here all my life.”

Marilyn Albert, director of the Career Center, said she thinksstudents would be making a mistake if they postponed their jobsearch by going to graduate schools, because there are manyemployers coming to the Career Center to recruit students.

“Graduate school is tough to get into and the deadline iscoming close,” Albert said. “If students think they canjust wait and see and then apply to graduate school, they aremistaken. Time is running out.”

Albert said she is launching a campaign for more students toapply for jobs through the Career Center.

“I would advise graduating students to get down here tothe Career Center,” Albert said. “I’ve hademployers canceling interviews because not enough students areapplying.”