With much of the country on lockdown and the economy heading towards a recession, many graduating seniors feel they are entering the workforce at an inopportune time.

Students seeking internships and research opportunities are also facing a scarcity due to the closure of many businesses and higher education institutions nationwide.

Rory Mather | Student Life

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 38% of internships have transitioned to a virtual format, 37% have delayed their start dates and many others have been canceled altogether.

“I’ve been thinking about the unfortunate timing of it all—an abrupt end to senior year and increased anxiety about an already uncertain period with regards to the job hunt and post-grad plans,” senior Sylvia Yu wrote in a statement to Student Life. “My friends and I have gone through interviews only to ultimately be turned down and are anxious about whether there are other opportunities.”

During this time, the Career Center is continuing to advise students and directing them toward resources to ensure the continuity of their academic and professional endeavors and their future success. Advisors are available via Zoom, email and phone.

“Some specific examples of alternative summer experiences for the Summer of 2020 include career research, freelance project work, remote volunteering, summer classes, and personal skill development,” Dean of Career Services Dr. Mark Smith wrote in a statement to Student Life.

Students are advised to utilize their spare time to develop their LinkedIn profiles and reach out to experts in their area of interest. Learning the vocabulary and culture of their respective industries will better prepare students for workplace immersion at the return to normalcy.

According to Smith, students should not be concerned over the credibility of online classes on their transcript.

“We are not hearing any feedback from employers with concerns about students engaging in online learning. There is credibility to online learning, which has existed for 20 years. Many U.S. universities have previously offered online courses, including Wash. U.,” Smith wrote. “Now that nearly everyone has gone virtual, it’s highly unlikely that an employer would expect students to retake online courses.”

This sentiment, however, may not apply in the same way for pre-health students looking to matriculate to medical schools after graduation.

“Online spring coursework is being accepted everywhere. There isn’t a clear consensus on online summer labs, so I’m urging students to check with their state schools and any dream schools as they plan summer coursework,” Pre-Health Program Director Carolyn Herman wrote in a statement to Student Life. “Students who were hoping to lean into something this semester that was ultimately cancelled may be better off delaying application until they can acquire more experience, but this won’t be a permanent state of affairs.”

Shadowing and networking opportunities for pre-health students will largely be suspended for an indefinite period of time given uncertainty within the medical field during this pandemic.

“It would be interesting to talk with alumni physicians about their experiences, especially during this time,” Herman wrote. “Of course, they may be far too busy to connect with students for quite a while. Consider seeking out retired physicians who are watching this unfold, or medical students who are currently not allowed on the wards. Shadowing is unlikely to be possible in the near future.”

Organizations such as the National Medical Reserve Corps and Meals on Wheels may need more volunteers within their respective communities. Students may also volunteer with Upchieve, an online tutoring service geared toward assisting disadvantaged youth. Students with an interest in technology can utilize their skills to help transcribe and digitize the platforms of non-profit organizations in their respective regions.

The Career Center has also created a library of resources for students to consider during this time of uncertainty.

Although the state of the job market is precarious at this time, the midterm employment outlook seems to be positive for Washington University students.

“The good news is that many employers and organizations remain interested in the talented students who are in the Washington University community,” Smith wrote. “Now is a time for flexibility and resilience. Maybe your first choice internship is no longer hiring, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a strong, good-fit internship for you. It might be considering job functions within different industries. You’re still building your resume in your chosen job function, but the industry or scope might look a little different.”