NJ College Grads Face Few Job Prospects [AUDIO]

May is right around the corner, but for many New Jersey college students about to graduate, finding a job could be the hardest test yet.

Roughly 1.5 million bachelors degree holders under age 25 last year were jobless or underemployed, the highest level in nearly eleven years.

“In comparison to the booming years of the late 90′s and even early on in this century, its difficult” said Carl Van Horn, director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University.

There is a bit of good news, however.

“All things considered, its better to be graduating with a college degree than without, and its better to be graduating in 2012 than in 2009″ said Van Horn.

He also said the unemployment rate for those with a college-degree has dropped and businesses are starting to hire again.

“But again, its not the happy days are here again the way we experienced it five years ago.”

Telling seniors at Ocean County College that the numbers don’t look good was no surprise.

“I’m going to try and look for a job, maybe go to grad school” said Lisa from Manchester.

“You need a bachelors at least these days and that doesn’t even cut it really” said Steve from Brick.

What should you do?

“Start looking now if you’re about to graduate, be patient and don’t hold out for the perfect dream job, you can always work you’re way up” said Van Horn.