How do Gainesville residents navigate the complex job market? – The Independent Florida Alligator

However, their handshake may not be confirmed. The unemployment rate among this group has fallen, falling from 9% in September 2020 to 4.5% in May 2024.

Jay believes that the lack of confidence in the job market among young people is unhelpful.

“There’s a lot of opportunity in Gainesville that I don’t think a lot of people are aware of,” he said.

Jay cited the prominent medical and biotechnology sectors that are developing as areas with job vacancies.

Gainesville’s unemployment rate has remained steady, with only minor changes in the past few months. As of July 2024, it was 3.6%, compared to 3.3% nationally and 4.2% nationally.

The Santa Fe College administration nurtures emerging scholars

Like UF, Santa Fe College offers many career counseling services.

JoAnn Wilkes, 75, coordinates SF’s Displacement Homemaker Program. DHP provides free education and employment resources to people – mainly women – who have lost financial support after a life-changing event.

Some participants are working toward a GED or labor certificate, while others are seeking vocational training in trades such as welding and HVAC.

Wilkes also advises new undergraduate students to juggle a full academic schedule with gig work.

“You have to put the game together to make enough money to support yourself and go to school,” he said.

In 2020, 40% of full-time college students found a part-time job. Maintaining good grades and getting a job can be taxing. Wilkes says building a career while doing those jobs is even harder.

DHP’s use of “hand-offs” – connecting employers directly with applicants – simplifies the process for both parties. Connecting an applicant’s name and resume to their face allows companies to “invest a little bit more in the person we’re sending,” Wilkes said.

Jimmy Yawn, 73, has been SF’s career center coordinator for more than 50 years. He’s still amazed at how easily disaffected students change when faced with obstacles.

He said that communication delays and rejections discourage job seekers.

“I had a student come in angry this morning,” said Yawn. He has been applying for a job for two weeks but has not yet received one.

He said he helps students be more reasonable about their work schedules and reassures them that what they are doing is “good, right. [and] they will surely get what they want.”

Restoring dignity, promoting confidence

Gainesville’s non-college residents can find local jobs and personal development services.

Project YouthBuild equips low-income youth who have dropped out of school with the tools and skills to improve their lives.

Through an intensive nine-month academic and leadership program, students work toward earning a high school diploma while giving back to their community. Many participants carry full course loads while maintaining part-time jobs.

Low-income students are more likely to find part-time jobs while enrolled in school than their higher-income counterparts. “Working students,” with their attention split between education and work responsibilities, are less likely to graduate on time than those who are not working.

Executive director Jonathan Leslie, 51, said about half of his students change into uniforms and go to service jobs as soon as classes are over.

There are other job readiness services available to Gainesville residents.

Brett Buell, 55, is director of development at the Gainesville Opportunity Center. The center provides job readiness training to members of the public with mental illness, one of the leading causes of work-related disability in the United States.

Part of its mission is to establish dignity and social inclusion while promoting the independence of the craft. Buell said, “GOC is a personal space,” where it serves not patients or clients.

Most of the GOC supporters have been out of office for up to 20 years.

Buell said: “When they walk in the door, they really believe they’re never going to be able to work, but with our program, they see other people with mental illness succeed and move forward.” and they get jobs.”

He said the GOC is focused on building strength and confidence in its members.

“Doing productive work makes them more independent, makes them happier, makes them feel better about themselves, and all that leads to better outcomes,” Buell said.

Contact Natalie Kaufman at nkaufman@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Nat_Kauf.