Texas State faculty and alumni provide students with connections and job resources as artificial intelligence remains in the job market.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program (MLS) helps train students to become medical laboratory scientists and early networking to prepare students for the job market.
Alumna Chrispina Harris, graduated from MLS and said she began working at the American Red Cross one week after graduating.
Harris said students have found full-time opportunities because of the working experience and unique certifications they received during their education.
McCoy College of Business Associate Dean David Wierschem said some students experience challenges finding entry-level positions as companies replace entry-level jobs with AI.
“AI is having a huge impact on education,” Wierschem said. “It’s having a huge impact on job placement because employers are decreasing the number of entry-level positions because they’re replacing them with AI.”
Wierschem said students should be open to finding new positions in response to the disruption caused by AI.
“I think there’s a lot of anxiety … but if students can focus on what they’re here for, which is education, they’re going to be just fine,” Wierschem said. “I think there’s also going to be a whole lot of opportunity for students to find new positions, different types of positions, different jobs.”
College of Liberal Arts Dean Mary Brennan said she understands the fears students have over not being able to find a job after graduation right now.
“If I were a student today, I would probably be as anxious as you are,” Brennan said. “I know it’s very scary right now, but we are going to get through this. Every step that you take right now is preparing you.”
Brennan said building a reliable skillset in college is one of the most important factors students should consider.
“Gather as many basic skills as you can, because those are foundational skills,” Brennan said. “The ability to research, the ability to synthesize material, the ability to write … no matter what your first job is, you can be the one that stands out because you have those skills.”
Wierschem said the McCoy College of Business is focusing on having students build professional skills early in their education. He said 70% of businesses are hiring from internships, and around 95% of businesses require that a student has had internship experience in the past. He said students should find internship experience quickly to meet those standards.
“As freshmen, we are preparing them with professional development, so their first assignment is their resume,” Wierschem said. “We explicitly address and discuss team concepts … because you’re going to be working in teams once you graduate.”
Rodney Rohde, chair of the MLS program in the College of Health Professions, said having work experience before graduation is part of how students are able to find a job.
“[MLS students] all do clinical rotations, and we work with hospitals to set that up,” Rohde said. “One of the great things about these programs is that students are basically getting automatic clinical experience.”
Rohde said the MLS program is assisting students by placing them in positions with the help of clinical coordinators that work with hospitals and clinics in the area.
“There are programs out there that put that on the student, and it’s very difficult because they don’t have the connections,” Rohde said.
After graduating from MLS, Harris and all 15 of her peers received full time positions within a month.
Carter English, Texas State alumnus and chief business officer at Higginbotham, an insurance and financial firm, said students should network with the people they meet in college to help grow their perspective.
“College is a tremendous time to mold and develop yourself and your network before beginning your journey, and your first job does not mean that will be your forever job, but attack every job like it will be,” English wrote in an email to The Star.
