Part-time gigs rally against grad tradition

Recent college graduates who are experiencing difficulties landing full-time employment are asked to look into part-time employment or contract work as an alternative.

The Cincinnati location of the 10-til-2 franchise, a staffing company directed toward part-time employees, celebrated its first year of business in December 2009.

Two local women, Beth Cooper and Gina Kopera, run the franchise after they decided the company was a necessity for the area. In comparison to Columbus and Indianapolis, where the employment market is similar and 10-til-2 companies are successfully established, it was a logical step for the women.

“Before this, I stayed at home with my son who is now 7 years old,” Cooper said.

Kopera, who also self-operates an engineering firm, sees opportunity aside from traditional employment.

Part-time employment or contract work is a viable option for stay-at-home mothers, individuals re-entering the workforce and college graduates who do not yet want to commit to a full-time job, Kopera said.

Kopera and Cooper agree that there is a general mindset that finding full-time employment post graduation is the ideal goal, and working part time would not be fulfilling.

The University of Cincinnati’s Career Development Center, works with several part-time job placement services, and hosts a part-time job fair each Fall quarter. Yet, the center works regularly with students who want a 9-to-5, salary-paying job.

“We definitely have that mindset as well,” said Jim Novak, associate director at the center.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 38 years are likely to change jobs an average of 10 times, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do four to five years out of college,” Novak said. “Today’s college graduates have to look at what skill sets they have and not look for a job that will take them from graduate to retirement — that is a bygone era.”

Some employers want part-time employees as a means to the end.

“When they can’t afford a full-time employee, employers are going to look at part-time employees who can still do the job,” Kopera said. “When you work for a company, you build a relationship with them and you are more likely to continue that work.”

Despite the center’s efforts to draw in freshmen and sophomores, junior and senior students are most likely to visit the CDC as they are motivated by lapsing time and a pending graduation date.

Non-traditional students, including parents or individuals looking to improve their resume, are more motivated from the beginning, Novak said.

“The difference between traditional and non-traditional students is their focus,” Novak said. “They have more responsibilities or motivations. They come back for a purpose.”

For students who are unsure of where they would like to take their degrees, Novak suggests volunteer work as well as part-time work.

“If it means keeping that deal with your parents about living in the basement and continuing to work that part-time job, then do it,” Novak said. “You have to earn it – it’s merit-based.”

The university works with at least eight temp agencies including Kelly Services and Remedy Intelligent Staffing in order to provide students with other opportunities.