The national economic problem and Lubbock's partial escape from it are causing more Texas Tech students to apply to graduate school and to work in Lubbock after college.
According to Tech's Institutional Research and Information Management Web site, 4,546 students enrolled in Tech's graduate school in 2007 and 4,670 in 2008, a 2.7 percent increase.
Arindam Mazumdar, the vice president of graduate and professional affairs for the Student Government Association, said the economy is causing students to apply to graduate school to further their education.
"I think with the economy doing so badly, more and more students are going back to school than before," said Mazumdar, who is earning a doctorate in chemistry. "More students want to get a higher education to prepare themselves."
The economic situation makes the job market more competitive, he said, and students want to earn a better degree to prepare for the market.
Will Verret, a junior finance and accounting business major, said the national economy played a part in his decision to apply to graduate school.
"I've always considered going to grad school, but the economy right now is so bad, it made the decision for me," he said. "I want to go now so I can have a better degree and then work in a better economy."
Verret is not the only student whose education has been effected by the economy.
Dave Kraus, the director of Tech's University Career Center, said it is not uncommon for students' plans to change during a hard time in the economy.
"If patterns follow like they usually do when the job market gets tighter, graduation school applications go up," Kraus said. "Some students might think, 'I'm going to grad school sometime anyway, might as well go now.'"
He said students need to evaluate every option, not just the state of the nation's economy.
"Students have to decide if grad school is right for them, they need to explore and need to use every resource they have," Kraus said. "There's no guarantee the economy is going to be better two years from now."
Mazumdar said students need to take their time when deciding what to do after college.
Graduate school is not the only option for students during a rough time in the economy.
Shelby Shaw, the communication director for the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, said Lubbock and its stable economy offer many job options to Tech graduates.
"To some degree, our economic stability does play a factor in where Tech students want to go," she said. "If there's a Tech student who wants to stay here to work, they can make that happen."
Shaw said many businesses in Lubbock would love to hire Tech graduates.
Manuel Jimenez, the manager for the Bank of America on University, said if Lubbock's economy attracts more students to live in the city after college, he would hire them.
"I have five Tech employees right now out of 16," he said. "Students can relate if they see someone young behind the counter."
Mazumdar said because Lubbock is an affordable place to live and has a stable economy, many students will choose to stay.
Lauren Peterson, a recent Tech graduate from Dallas, said most of the reason she came back to Lubbock after graduation rather than living in her hometown is the economy.
"After seeing some of my friends get jobs here, I thought it would be easier than trying to find one somewhere as competitive as Dallas," Peterson said. "There are job openings here paired with a better economy."
According to the Lubbock Economic Devlopment Alliance Web site, Lubbock's economy is diverse, growing and assures employers a stable climate for conducting business.
Be the first to comment on this article!