The $2.17 million in student dollars earned surpasses the $994,000 achieved the previous year and the $1.4 million recorded in 2006/2007.
Ann Johnson-Stromberg, the Career Center’s coordinator of internships and job development, credited 2008’s big increase to new employer alliances with companies like Sun Valley Group, and to more diligent follow-up with employers about hires.
“Area employers are really interested in our impact locally and surprised to see what a power we are in the workforce,” she said.
Career Center placements spanned full-time positions following graduation, part-time jobs and internships. Part-time positions accounted for 47 percent, 237 jobs, of the 503 students placed. Summer and seasonal employment accounted for 20 percent and 101 students placed. Paid internships comprised 15 percent and 76 jobs.
Johnson-Stromberg underscored that 2008’s high figures are conservative estimates. “Once students graduate, they are frequently off and running and our hiring results are hard to pin down,” she said. “We think that this year’s totals are underestimated by at least 50 percent, considering we are tallying just over 500 hires of the thousands of jobs listed annually on Springboard,” the Career Center’s free, help-wanted Web site.
Area employers use the site to find both students and recent graduates. Currently, for example, Humboldt County alone has 212 openings listed for students on Springboard.
In addition, the center offers quick-cash job connections with Skills List. “It is populated with requests from community members interested in everything from babysitters and housekeepers to one-time help moving boxes,” Johnson-Stromberg said.
For many HSU students, local work is a lifeline.
“These jobs are crucial to a student’s financial ability to attend Humboldt State,” said Student Affairs Vice President Steven Butler. “The salary dollars generated from this employment are also important to the overall health of the local economy and we are excited to be making such a positive difference.”
The center’s director, Annie Bolick-Floss, said the University and the business community are partners in shaping the future workforce, supplying the Redwood Coast economy and beyond with well-trained and well-educated employees.
Information about internships and how to post job listings on Springboard is available at (707) 826-3341 or http://www.humboldt.edu/~career.