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Community College Graduates Face a Rocky Job Market

Prince George's Community College Graduates will rely on internships, networking opportunities.

As they rose from their seats at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro on Thursday, the Prince George's Community College Class of 2011 clung to their diplomas, their programs and their high hopes of snagging full-time jobs.

Family, friends and well-wishers packed the 4,500-seat venue, which hosted the college's 52nd commencement, to cheer on loved ones.

But as a stormy job market awaits the new graduates, many students said they would seek out internships as a way to stave off sour job prospects. And while internships are nothing new, amid a rocky economy, many students will rely on them more than ever as an entree to full-time employment.

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Ashley Herbert hopes to become an intern for the Prince George's County Police Department's Forensic Unit. The Landover resident earned her associate's degree from the community college and plans to attend the University of Maryland University College this fall.

"Who doesn't want free help? That's how you get your foot in the door," said Herbert, 24. "They usually hire you in a couple of months, maybe a year later."

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Some look at internships as networking opportunities. Johnathan Collins of Upper Marlboro is currently an intern at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. He plans to transfer to the agency's Office of Technology and Information Management in September. Collins hopes he can put his new computer information systems associate's degree to good use.

"My dad told me that's how people get jobs, by reaching out and being social … making connections," said Collins, 20.

Community college officials strongly encourage students to seek volunteer and internship positions, even if they don't pay. As the retention advisor at PGCC, Johnika Dreher advises students on how to stand out to potential employers.

"We strongly encourage them to go ahead and go to [four-year] college, and we also encourage them to do federal STEP programs andinternships," Dreher said. "That builds their skill base."

Even working as a volunteer, she said, helps make students more marketable.
As does the Student Temporary Employment Program, an initiative that helps high school and college students gain necessary experience by providing opportunities to work part-time federal jobs in specific fields of study.

Dreher said programs like this help curb the effects of high unemployment.
According to the county's Department of Labor website, the Prince George's unemployment rate was at 6.5 percent in April -- 2.5 percent lower than the national average, but nearly one percent higher than the overall rate in the Washington D.C. region was in March. Six years ago at this time, the county's unemployment rate rested at only four percent.

But those numbers don't discourage Damian Bowen. He received his certificate in human resource management and hopes to earn his business management associate's degree from PGCC next year.

The 36-year old Clinton resident said he doesn't believe high unemployment statistics will stop him from getting work.

"If you want a job, you can apply yourself, and you can get a job," Bowen said.

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