Wednesday, June 9, 2010
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Tough market for jobs in Solutions for Mankato over summer summer blues City has many outdoor options to keep students busy until fall semester YOONKI KIM
staff writer
Low expectations helpful for finding work, internships give experiences to build r ésumé for future positions YOONKI KIM
staff writer
Even though a good number of summer jobs and internships are already filled by early May, it’s not too late to get a summer position. Pam Weller-Dengel, director of the Career Development Center at Minnesota State, said getting a summer job is neither bright nor gloomy, but she believes it’s not much different from last year. “Certainly the job market is getting better,” said WellerDengel, “but I don’t think that’s a quick thing.” Weller-Dengel said she thinks the seasonal jobs are probably the ones that have to recover the most. “It’s a pretty tight job
market for summer — seasonal, part-time jobs in particular. Employers are not hiring many for summer,” she said. Matthew Coulsey, the communications manager at MRCI WorkSource, also said he guesses there are less jobs available than in the past. With a higher unemployment rate, job seekers with little-to-no experience are submitting applications at the same places that well-educated and experienced people are. In a situation with fewer positions and heavier competition, being a college student isn’t always the best qualification for any job. Weller-Dengel has some advice for job seekers:
index
Summer / page 2
“You might need to lower your expectations in terms of what you’re looking for,” Weller-Dengel said. Some jobs and internships are non-paid positions, but these unpaid internships can benefit students because it improves their résumés for future employment. Whether it’s little money or a stepping stone to a career, an internship is going to be helpful. She suggested www. MinnesotaWork.net as another Web site to look for jobs in Minnesota, as well as www. MavJobs.com. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the number of unemployed workers
Jobs / page 3
‘The Pit’ and why students love it so much, see page 2 Ed/Op.......................................4 Variety......................................6 Sports......................................9 Classifieds.............................11
Summer days in Mankato might seem dull to some students, but the city does have some alternatives to hanging out on the couch all summer. With higher temperatures and long-lasting daylight, going on a picnic or a hike can spice up a boring day. Some good locations are closer than expected. A good place to start is Minneopa State Park, which is five miles west of Mankato. Minneopa means “water that is falling twice,” referring to the two waterfalls of the Minneopa Creek. Trails that encircle the falls lead down a limestone stairway to the
valley below. Barbeque grills are available and a daily parking permit costs just $5. Annual permits are $25. If $5 seems expensive, a great alternative is Sibley Park. Located at 900 Mound Ave., Sibley Park was established in 1887. It has active recreation opportunities on the north side with softball fields, tennis courts and fishing spots. More passive recreation is provided on the south side of the park with extensive landscapes and gardens, a storybook farm site, open space and picnicking areas. A small zoo in the park has many animals including alpacas, peacocks and goats.
web photo Minneopa State Park is a great place to visit in the summer months.
Variety examines Pixar in anticipation of “Toy Story 3” PAGE 6 Sports recaps Maverick tennis and track and field seasons PAGE 9