Although the rate was down from 9.9 percent in December 2009, unemployment and job availability are still issues college students are facing in 2014.

With the U.S. unemployment rate at 6.7 percent in December 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, many students are concerned about finding jobs after graduation.

Senior Mackenzie Tucker is nervous about finding a job in today’s market, he said.

“The unemployment rate concerns me,” Tucker said. “But it’s job availability that really makes me nervous about finding a job in my field because I’m a film major.”

Melissa Medlin, director of Career Planning and Development, often observes and counsels students who are nervous about finding a job after graduation.

“Jobs are definitely not plentiful right now,” Medlin said.

However, students can find a job doing almost anything. Even if the job market is not plentiful for a certain major in the Shoals area, there are other geographic locations where those jobs can be found, Medlin said.

Tucker plans to move another area to find a job, he said.

“I probably won’t be able to find a job around Florence or in Alabama, but there are jobs in other places, so I’ll follow the work,” Tucker said.

Freshman Sha Barnes, a culinary arts major, is willing to move away to have a job, she said.

“I know there aren’t many jobs (available) in my field, but people will always need food so I could always have a job somewhere, no matter what the unemployment rate is,” Barnes said.

Some younger students are also considering the lack of job availability when declaring a major, Medlin said.

“Many students have seen their parents and grandparents go through the recession and lose jobs or have a difficult time finding a job,” she said. “So, many of them are choosing a major based on which fields they think they can get a job in.”

Freshman Sarah Tillery has considered changing her major from pre-dentistry to make her more likely to find a job, she said.

“I’m nervous about finding a job after college, especially going into the medical field,” Tillery said. “I’ve considered changing my major to nursing just so it’ll be easier to find a job.”

Students need to begin preparing for life after graduation well in advance, Medlin said.

“Applying for jobs at least one year out from graduation is important to ensure having a job after graduation,” she said. “Students also need to have done something besides go to class while they were in college if they want employers to hire them.”

Senior Brandon Conley wishes he had started applying for internships and jobs early, he said.

“I have not applied for any jobs yet, but I probably should have,” Conley said. “Right now I just want to start testing the waters and see if I get a job out of it.”

Building up a resume that makes students look valuable to employers is one of the most important things to do while in college, Medlin said.

“Your resume is you on a piece of paper,” she said. “Getting a job takes preparation.”

Career Planning and Development offers students help getting a job, Medlin said.

“Students are given an individual counselor to help them with preparing a resume, practicing interview question and building a portfolio,” she said. “All of this is free, so students should take advantage of this resource that is here to help them.”