Most people are familiar with the phrase, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." But who has ever heard, "When the economy gets ugly, job-seekers get scared"?
Makes sense though, doesn't it? Especially for those recent college graduates, who are forced to go out into a compressed work force.
Instead, graduates are seeking out alternatives. The MSU admissions office has reported receiving 8,107 applications from hopeful Spartan graduate students.
That's nearly 2,000 more than are usually processed at this time of year, said Jim Cotter, senior associate director of admissions and scholarships.
Who could argue against a chance to avoid a poor job market by putting off student loans and dodging unemployment? It's a smart move, and a glimmer of hope in a dismal economy. While the economy rebuilds, a more motivated and informed work force waits in the wings.
It's also good for institutions like MSU.
In December, Michigan's unemployment rate climbed to 5.9 percent. That figure is nearly double the 3.2 percent rates of 2000.
At the same time, higher education institutions are reporting an influx in applicants hoping to further their scholarship.
MSU-Detroit College of Law and Lansing-based Cooley Law School also are reporting an application boost.
MSU-DCL has received more than 1,000 applications this year, up from its 531 accounted for at this time in 2002.
And Cooley's admissions office reports it has gathered 1,888 applicants, more than the 500 potential students it had at this time in 2002.
While this type of increase in continued education is good for those who hope to hide from the job market of a sickly economy, it also has its benefits for institutions such as MSU.
The more graduate applicants the university has, the more selective it can be. That translates into finding the students who will best represent and engage in the mission of higher education.
In short, the value of an MSU education has the potential to increase in spite of economic woes across the country.
But graduates shouldn't put all their stock in hiding from the scary, economically unstable "real world." In addition to taking advantage of MSU graduate program opportunities, recent graduates also can benefit from the university's career placement offices.
A recent National Association of Colleges and Employers study says the nation can expect to see a 3.6-percent decline in hiring for students right out of college. That is a frightening prospect.
But MSU offers free job search help to alumni up to six months after graduation. There is hope - 7,000 job interviews were conducted in MSU's career services center last year.
When the economy gets ugly, consumers cannot just turn and run. Sometimes we have to face it head on in the hopes we might have a fighting chance.
