Jobs

From a questionnaire to leading men's and women's colleges, it was evident last week that the 1931 graduate is having an exceedingly difficult time finding a job.

Fewer corporations than in previous springs have sent scouts to the colleges and universities.

The demand for college-trained men to sell things on commission (insurance, etc.) is still great. These, of course, are the least attractive jobs.

Calls for teachers have fallen off, except for teachers of Science and Mathematics in secondary schools. And for such teaching there is a dearth of adequately trained applicants. The same inadequacy of trained personnel applies to headships of private girls' schools.

Civil engineers, chemical engineers and building construction men have few openings. But prospective sales engineers and to a less extent prospective advertising men have a fair chance for employment.

Newspapers and magazines are closed tight.

While jobs are fewer, graduates need jobs more. College placement bureaus show a large increase of applications over last June. Applicants are less particular than heretofore. Formerly, especially at the New England schools, the graduate expected to spring from the commencement platform to an executive desk. Now he is eager to be even an errand boy.

In one respect the average 1931 graduate is finicky. He would rather avoid a business where the prospects of career are not clear. Hence many are deliberately taking time out. The majority of those who are not seeking work immediately after graduating are going into graduate schools, for two reasons: 1) to "escape from reality"; 2) to make themselves specialists. A large ratio of the aspirant specialists are trying to get into graduate schools of business, realizing that U. S. Business has become a skilled profession.

A sharp footlight on the whole situation glares at Smith College. Every girl in the June graduating class asked placement bureau help in getting work. Three out of four of the graduates expected to make work their profession for at least the immediate future. Only one out of 20 expected to marry, travel or remain at home the next year or so. Last June the expectant brides, travelers and homebodies averaged one out of ten.

Of all the colleges questioned Princeton, Stanford and Antioch stood out as least affected by Depression.

Antioch College this June reaped precious usufruct of its work-study plan. Cooperative arrangements between classroom and factory, office or field were maintained with difficulty through last year. But, exulted Antioch last week, "They were maintained." Antioch seniors who want jobs have them, even though one man has been cooking on a Venezuela oil tanker and another is barnstorming the U. S. with an autogiro.

An alleviation of this current economic situation suggested itself to Acting Dean George Walker Mullins of Barnard College. To the girl graduates he put a proposition :

"What are your needs? . . . Is it necessary for you to be gainfully employed? If not, perhaps the greatest service that you can render to the community and to the nation at this time, when countless thousands are out of work, is to have the courage to refuse work for gain, and to prolong your period of study with a view to better equipping yourself in a richer way for future work."

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