State GDP growth bodes well for hiring

North Carolina has continued to climb out of the recession in the past year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce — a hopeful sign for students that the job market is becoming increasingly viable.

The state announced a 4.1 percent gross domestic product growth in the final quarter of 2013, a rate higher than the national average, according to data released Aug. 20. The growth is a good sign for hiring.

“We have definitely seen a strong increase in the recruiting activities of employers here on campus,” said Jeff Sackaroff, associate director of UNC Career Services, in an email.

He said employer registration for the Fall Job/Internship Expo is up 25 percent since 2010. The Sept. 11 event already has 124 employers set to attend.

Boone Turchi, associate professor of economics, said he thinks the economy is strong enough to support seniors searching for jobs rather than immediately entering graduate programs.

“From an educational and professional point of view, (forgoing graduate school) makes sense,” he said. “I recommend getting your admission and taking a year off to go do something different.”

Sackaroff said his office does not encourage students to consider graduate school to avoid a challenging job market. But for students looking for jobs right after graduation, he added that there is a strong market in N.C. and nationwide.

UNC freshman Bill Wang, an economics major, said he is enthusiastic about the direction in which the state’s economy is heading. He said he sees a lot of relevant career opportunities, particularly in the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte areas.

“This increases my optimism and increases the chances that I’m going to stay in the state upon graduation,” he said.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate, which has been on the decline since 2010, was 6.5 percent in July.

Turchi said total employment has not yet rebounded to pre-recession levels, and the unemployment rate can be misleading because many North Carolinians have left the workforce after being unable to find a job.

Still, Turchi said the state’s economic trends are encouraging.

Sackaroff said UNC students looking to stay in the state are fortunate because North Carolina’s job market is so diverse.

“We see students pursue careers in biotech, IT, medical, operations, finance/banking, non-profits, consulting, marketing,” he said. “All of these areas, and many others, continue to provide opportunities for new graduates.”

state@dailytarheel.com