Arizona is finally beginning to pick up the pace after dealing with some terrible employment numbers for the past four years. As the economy is still in a recover process, which is expected to take a few more years, Arizona had higher unemployment rates and lower employment rates that seemed to continue to decline on a downward spiral. However, new jobs have been added, making the people of Arizona very optimistic.

Nonfarm employment has increased by 37,500 jobs throughout 2011. This information was released by the Arizona Department of Administration Workforce Employment Report. When it came down to the largest job gains, the education sector and health services sector. There have also been employment gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, construction sector, and professional business services as well. There was not much growth of jobs when it came to government positions and entertainment positions.

The director of UA Career Services, Eileen McGarry, has said that the university is seeing changes that are indicating the economy is recovering. She says that the Career Services has about 80 different employers who are planning to interview an assortment of students on the campus throughout this semester. McGarry says, “Since 2007, like many campuses, we had a significant drop-off in employers coming to the university.” She also says, “We have had to work real aggressively to rebuild some relationships and are working with new employers. We are starting to see results.”

McGarry also stated that the Career Services is expanding its pursuit on finding employers from areas outside of the state of Arizona. She also states that Career Services has hired an employee to work with a number of recruiters in the area of Phoenix.

McGarry says, “We look into what is new in the market in terms of technology, nonprofits, etc. and we try to convince these companies to hire recent and current graduates.” She also said, “We are trying to be innovative. I’ve been told several times by employers they have never heard of a university that sends students to do outreach and they are impressed.”

Although there have been positive numbers for Arizona throughout 2011, the job market is still competitive and there are still individuals who are having trouble finding the employment that they have been seeking.

An associate professor of economics, James McBrearty, has said, “We have to get away from the idea that a university degree guarantees one’s financial security.” He also says, “A university degree can be a ticket for the good life, but you have to have marketable skills that employers want.”

McGarry believes that students need to begin working early on, perhaps in their freshman year, as a means of getting as much possible experience. She says, “Our philosophy is to focus on individual students and their unique skill sets, values, interests and work from there.”