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Getting a Hold on Anxieties During an Economic Downturn

Feeling anxious about your job prospects after school?  You’re not alone.

In these uncertain economic times, students and postdocs are faced with increased anxiety over the growing challenges of the current job market and economy; as well as the challenges of completing their graduate or their degrees.

Today potential employees will have to work even harder to enter the workforce, and finding the ideal job may take longer than originally thought. This may be especially challenging for graduate and postdocs to handle if they feel that they have already sacrificed work experience time for an advanced degree or additional training. Unlike undergraduate students, taking a year off to travel overseas or staying in school longer may not be an option. Today, more and more graduate students and postdocs may be rethinking their career plans in order to successfully enter the job market for the first time.

Ways to cope and improve your chances of securing a job especially during an economic downturn

Increasing your education level is never a mistake. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a correlation between your education level and ability to weather an economic downturn. A graduate or professional degree can give you extra flexibility to shift from one job sector to another during unstable times. With a graduate or professional degree, you are also more likely to earn more and experience less unemployment.

Below are some ideas to improve your employment search:

• Approach your career planning in a persistent, strategic and positive way to remain more marketable in a competitive job market. Intentional Career Planning, a tip sheet from the UW Career Center, describes the “steps” associated with intentional career planning. No matter what the circumstances, being proactive in the career development process and using your time strategically will enhance your career success.
• Do not wait. Finding employment, financial resources for education and training internships can take time. Make time in your schedule to work on applications, job searching, and networking.
• Tap into professional organizations and network in your preferred field(s) to find new employment resources and opportunities.  Not all jobs are formally posted. Let your professional contacts know you are looking for employment. There are several online professional social networking sites as well that can help connect you to people in your preferred field. The UW Career Center provides numerous resources (workshops, events, and more) for getting started, including the following tip sheets:
  • Make connections
  • How to build your network
  • Working the room
• Keep your resume/CV updated. Replying quickly to job announcements can increase your chances. Have your application materials ready to send out quickly when you find an ideal job.
• Seek professional support and assistance.
  • The UW Career Center provides services for undergraduate, graduate students and alumni. They can help you sharpen your resume, rethink your cover letter, and/or connect you with potential employers and professional organizations in your preferred field.
• Stay flexible in job titles, employer choice and geography. This will improve your chances for employment.
• Remember each job is additional training and experience to help prepare you for your next.

Dealing with stress or anxiety

Unstable financial and job markets can create worry about how your lifestyle, emotional well-being, and future plans will be impacted. You are not alone in this experience. Experiencing stress from such uncertainty and change is normal. The following tips can help decrease your stress during your job search:

• Stay calm. Pay attention to what is happening, but do not allow yourself to be caught in a panic about the economy or your future. It won’t help in the long run.
• Write it down. By writing down your options and making a clear strategy for your career and education options, you will be able to see the big picture as well as the steps that need to be taken for success.
• Talk to your department head and/or advisor. If you think you may be faced with leaving school because of the economy, or are having trouble finding work after you graduate or complete a postdoc appointment, talk to your advisor, PI, or department head. They want to see you succeed and may have the connections to help you along.
• Take good care of yourself. The stress of the situation can make it tempting to develop unhealthy habits and negative behavior. If you recognize a pattern of destructive behavior find a counselor or mental health provider to talk to before the problem gets worse.  The Mental Health Clinic at Hall Health offers free online assessments for anxiety and depression to UW students, staff, and faculty.
• Develop new skills and hobbies. The challenges of developing a career can be mentally and physically challenging. Becoming obsessive is not healthy. Take time to find a productive, non-work-related hobby. This can be a rewarding experience that brings creativity to your life and helps reduce stress.
• Remain proactive. Keep searching and exploring the wide range of options still available to you. 

Some level of career anxiety is normal and can be healthy; however it is easy to become too obsessed with career development. Signs that you might be overly anxious about your future include:

• Having trouble concentrating
• Feeling helpless about your career and educational plans
• Having trouble managing your current responsibilities because you are distracted by thoughts of your future
• Being unable to enjoy the company of friends and family because you are distracted by your career or educational plans
• Difficulty sleeping
• Muscles aches or fatigue

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by stress when thinking about your educational or career plans, seek help from a mental health provider.  Resources for UW community members are listed below in the resources section.

Rethinking your career and educational plans

If you need to take time off from classes due to the economic downturn or personal issues, consider creating a list of career-advancing alternatives, such as:

• Entry-level work in a related field
• An internship or fellowship in a relevant organization
• Participating in government training and work programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, etc.

Stay active and engaged with current events in your desired career field even if you choose to accept a position in a completely different field for the time-being.

UW Resources for students, staff, and the community

UW Career Center provides career and job search services to UW students and alumni. The Career Center can help you explore careers and academic options, develop job search skills, and facilitate connections with employers.

• Resources for Grad Students & Postdocs

Mental Health Clinic at Hall Health offers a variety of high-quality mental health and counseling services to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of Washington. 

UW Counseling Center provides developmentally-based counseling, assessment, and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled UW students by psychologists and mental health counselors.

UW CareLink is a comprehensive faculty and staff assistance program available that provides professional support for issues that can affect your personal and work life.

• Managing your stress in tough economic times
• Career Development
• Using Online Social Networks to Secure Employment

Crisis Clinic: 24-Hour Crisis Line offers an array of support services to everyone in King County. This toll-free telephone service provides immediate, confidential assistance for people in emotional distress and in need of help.

References

Table A-4.  Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment.  Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm. Accessed on: February 11, 2009.

Better Job Searching in a Recession. Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com / UW Career Center. 6 January 2009.  http://careers.washington.edu/News/Better-Job-Searching-in-a-Recession. Accessed on: February 10, 2009.

As economy sours, students worry about job prospects. Dateline University of California Davis. 23 January 2009. http://www.dateline.ucdavis.edu/dl_detail.lasso?id=11063. Accessed on: February 10, 2009.

Alumni and students anxious about declining economy find ramped-up career help at Cornell. Cornell News. 30 October 2008. http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Oct08/careerServices.sk.html.%20Accessed%20on%20February%2010, 2009.

Job-Seeking College Seniors Need More Persistence, Resilience in Current Climate. News at Washington and Lee University. http://www.wlu.edu/x27520.xml.%20Accessed%20on%20February%2010, 2009

Smart Career moves in a tough economy. Binghamtom University Career Development Center. Available at http://cdc.binghamton.edu/parents/smartmoves.htm.%20accessed%20on%20February%2010. Accessed on February 10, 2009.

Get Another Life. Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/03/2008031101c.htm.  Accessed on: February 10, 2009.

Alternative Career Anxiety: A Reckoning with Lingering Doubts. Science Careers from the journal Science. http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/0980/alternative_career_anxiety_a_reckoning_with_lingering_doubts.  Accessed on February 10, 2009

Looking for a job in a Tough Economy. Binghamtom University Career Development Center. http://cdc.binghamton.edu/QRefGuide/Looking%20for%20a%20job%20in%20a%20tough%20economy%202008.pdf. Accessed on: February 10, 2009

Authored by: Nikole Allen and Heather Larson
Reviewed by: Anil Coumar, Director, Mental Health Clinic, and Tom Gething, Assistant Vice Provost and Assistant Dean (Academic Affairs) and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Last updated: 02/25/09