The majority of jobs for graduating students are found through personal networking and experience, a TCU career advisor said.

Mary Beth Grayson, a TCU career advisor, said regardless of your major, experience is what makes the difference.

“Internships, class projects, campus involvement, these are things employers are looking for,” Grayson said.

In a recent article by the Associated Press, an analysis released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed about 1.5 million, or 53.6 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders under the age of 25 last year were jobless or underemployed, which is the highest share in at least 11 years.

The hope is not gone for TCU graduates though, according to recent study released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas has posted the strongest post-recession economy in the country. Five of the six fastest-growing markets in the private sector are in Texas according to the study.

However, Grayson said TCU students will have to treat their job searching as if it was a full-time job.

“Depending on how active they are for job searching, it could take three to six months for them to find a job,” Grayson said.

Grayson said personal networking can also be important aspect in job searching as 80 percent of jobs for graduating students are found through personal networking. Grayson said FrogLinks provides graduates the platform to make connections with TCU alumni and possible future employers.

Grayson said the key to using the TCU networking services is maintaining the relationship with alumni regardless if they are hiring or not.  

When it comes to students going to graduate school, Phil Hartman, the interim dean of the TCU College of Science and Engineering, said education from TCU plays a big role.

“I’ve been increasingly aware of how highly TCU is regarded in many quarters,” Hartman said. “Admissions deans see that TCU has academic rigor.”

Xing You, a graduating senior with a major in film television and digital media said his choice of applying to graduate school was an easy one.

“The first reason I want to go to graduate school is because I want to further my education” You said. “The second reason is because I don’t think I could get a job now if I tried.”

Grayson said TCU Career Services advisors have been busy lately by the amount of students taking advantage of the opportunities they provide.

Grayson said students graduating in later semesters can prepare for the new market right now.

“Do internships so you can set yourself apart, make connections and add transferable skills to your resume,” Grayson said. “These will help make the difference.”