Working Around the Coronavirus: Student Unemployment in the Wake of the Pandemic
The following article was featured in the May 2020 edition of The Campus.
By Eric Bilach
May 27, 2020 -- a day once meant to be forever etched in the collective memory of the 2020 City College graduating class. However, if recent events are any indicator, plans can change at the proverbial drop of a dime.
For the uninitiated, from the perspective of New York City, COVID-19, the disease caused by the Coronavirus has led to the temporary closure of non-essential businesses, as well as cancellation and postponement of social events and large gatherings. Among the cancellations include City College’s late-May festivities for graduates and their families.[1] Although the short-term effects have been both brutal and sudden, a return to normalcy is projected to occur as early as May (according to recent statements made by President Trump).[2] In the United States, discussions about the long-term societal effects of COVID-19 typically center around economic recovery, escalations in xenophobia, and preparations for future pandemics. Nonetheless, an interesting part of the conversation that has gone relatively silent is the issue concerning student employment (or the lack thereof) in the wake of COVID-19.
More than just the customary caps and gowns, graduation signifies a changing of the guard. In the months following the big ceremony, bright-eyed graduates enter the workforce competitively for the first time. This influx of new hires ultimately shapes the economic landscape for years to come. As of 2014, the employment rate for people between the ages of 20 and 24 who had obtained, at the minimum, a Bachelor’s degree was approximately 85%.[3] The data show that this trend had been consistent since at least the year 2000, proving that a college education generally leads to higher job security. This fact coupled with a projected 13.7% increase in jobs between 2016 and 2026 in New York City alone was set to provide City College’s 2020 class with a wealth of employment opportunities post-graduation.[4] Unfortunately, with the emergence of COVID-19, those once promising job prospects may be in jeopardy.
As New York state’s unemployment totals climbed to, at last count, 791,840 (roughly 8.3% of the labor force), it is safe to say that undergraduate students have endured the brunt of this economic strain.[5] In the United States, the three largest employment industries populated by student workers are, in order, food services, retail, and work-study and on-campus jobs.[6] Consequently, as state and local governments continue to implement social distancing measures and shelter-in place orders in response to the worsening condition of the pandemic, these industries are among the most likely to be affected. While some positions in these industries are easily retained via telecommuting, the overwhelming majority are not. Even for those who have already completed their undergraduate studies, the national unemployment rate for this particular demographic rose by 0.6% during the month of March.[7] Despite being a record-setting statistic, this figure pales in comparison to the increases in unemployment among undergraduates and those with only a high school diploma.
In speaking with both senior Kimberly Velazquez and junior Stephanie Nunez, it appears that the economic repercussions of COVID-19 on undergraduate students are two-fold. Velazquez revealed that, prior to the pandemic, she was poised to begin an internship in the health care industry following graduation. Unfortunately, health and education services were affected tremendously during March (second to only the construction industry), resulting in rampant hiring freezes and the elimination of nearly 459,000 jobs across the country.[8] Velazquez’s plans to take her Graduate Record Examinations (the GRE) were also disrupted, ultimately complicating her process of applying to graduate school. While she has maintained her on-campus job by working remotely, Velazquez is wary of the additional obstacles COVID-19 may present along her journey to becoming a clinical neuropsychologist.
Nunez finds herself in the opposite camp. Although her plans of attending graduate school remain relatively intact, her work-study job was suspended at the time of CUNY’s initial shift toward “distance learning.” As is the case for the thousands of displaced undergraduates in New York City, a once steady source of income for Stephanie has since dried up. College students, even those who are claimed as dependents by their parents, rely heavily on their part-time endeavors to afford rent, food, tuition, and other necessary expenses.
As evidenced by Velazquez and Nunez’s respective situations, COVID-19 showcases the power to manipulate the present and future alike. No employment opportunities, whether they be ongoing or potential prospects, are safe from the wrath of the pandemic.
On a more positive note, maybe the world will emerge from COVID-19 with the understanding, experience, and ability to better accommodate both students and workers in the event of a subsequent crisis. Perhaps further economic devastation can be avoided by embracing new and innovative methods of remote instruction and employment. Possibly, this shift can help preserve the aspirations of the 2020 City College graduating class going forward.
_______________________________
[1] As per the Office of the President, all-in person commencement ceremonies have been postponed until a later date. Virtual ceremonies, however, are scheduled to take place at the end of May.
[2] Aleem, Zeeshan. “Trump says he’ll reopen the economy ‘based on a lot of facts and a lot of instincts.’” Vox. April 12, 2020.
[3] Employment Rates and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment. (n.d.).
[4] Significant Industries in New York City. (2019).
[5] Unemployment Claim Statistics by U.S. State. (2020).
[6] Most Common Employment Industries for College Students in the United States. (2016).
[7] Unemployment Rates by Level of Education. (March 2020).
[8] Unemployment Rates by Sector and Industry. (March 2020).
