Alex Beachum isn’t worried about finding a job when he graduates.

The interdisciplinary studies and pre-law senior said he plans on selling real estate before he enters law school.

“The economy is pretty slow, but the line of work I am going into doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I can’t make any less money than I am now.”

But other students might be more worried.

Joe Billig, economic analyst for the Michigan Department of Career Development, said statewide the number of people filing for unemployment insurance has increased since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Before the attacks, the number of people filing was between 11,000 and 12,000, he said. After the attacks, the number jumped to between 18,000 and 19,000.

Lansing originally had about 350 to 400 people every week filing for unemployment insurance. The number increased to about 450.

“I don’t think there has been a real significant impact,” Billig said. “These numbers are suggesting a continuing weak economy.”

But the continuing weak economy could delay MSU graduating seniors from finding a job.

“December graduates are unfortunately going to face some difficult times,” said Phil Gardner, director of the employment research institute for the MSU Career Development Center.

Gardner said the economy was slow, and the attacks just prolonged the sluggish market activity. He said recent graduates may have to wait until late spring or early summer to find employment.

“Students are going to have to spend some time searching for jobs,” he said.

MSU economics professor Charles Ballard, said many analysts say employment will suffer for the next few months.

“It does look like we are in a recession; now if this recession plays out like I expect, not only December graduates will find it hard but May graduates too,” he said.