New Yorkers now have another resource on the Internet to find work in today’s job market after Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration took the initiative to create a ‘Jobs Express’ website in late October.

The site, labor.ny.gov, divides New York state into 10 different ‘regional economies’ and categorizes open jobs in each region by profession. The website also sports Skills Matching and Referral Technology, or SMART, which helps users build resumes.

The site is a useful resource for New Yorkers who have been particularly affected by the economic downturn. Although New York did not suffer like other parts of the country from the housing crisis, its mid-7 percent unemployment rate is hard to overlook. Cuomo and his advisers said they believe the site will help individuals seek employment, according to an article published Oct. 31 by The Post-Standard.

‘The purpose is to better match people with better jobs. Now workers can more easily find them. This takes a step toward decreasing the search part of the job application process,’ said Donald Dutkowsky, professor of economics at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Dutkowsky argued that there are no ‘quick fixes’ for New York’s economy. He said citizens can best affect their economic situation by ‘addressing the state budget, getting it under control and taking a hard look at the regulation of taxes that are impeding businesses in New York state.’ Until these changes occur, people should use tools like Jobs Express for short-term needs, Dutkowsky said.

‘Any percentage point decrease is welcome, but there won’t be a dramatic effect in the short term. Let’s fill jobs we have now in the short term,’ he said. ‘Hopefully in the long term (the site) will be a part of the job-expansion mechanism, using fundamental ways of creating jobs in New York state.’

Some seniors, like biochemistry major Rachel Vicente, do not feel intimidated by the harsh job market. She said she intends to go straight to medical school after graduating, and when she does start her career, she will not break a sweat.

‘For me personally, the medical field is in such a high demand that it doesn’t worry me that much,’ Vicente said.

Others are not as confident. Stephanie Sands, a senior psychology major, said she would use a website like Jobs Express, considering the economy. When it comes to searching for jobs, ‘a job is a job. A lot of people would be happy flipping burgers at McDonalds,’ Sands said.

Paul Dubas, a senior finance major, voiced more concerns about job creation than job finding. He said that he would use this website if it posted respectable job positions but would not be concerned with it otherwise.

‘You can have as many search engines as you want, but if there are no interesting positions open, it’s fairly pointless,’ Dubas said.

Underclassmen share similar fears with their senior counterparts. Freshmen and sophomores are aware of the job market’s instability and can only cross their fingers and hope the economy improves in upcoming years.

‘It’s a competitive world out there for people with science degrees, so it could be hard to get the kind of job I’d like to have,’ said Sarah Hosie, a freshman biology major. She said Cuomo’s website could be beneficial if it helps a person find a ‘career that one actually enjoys.’

Jobs Express may help New Yorkers combat unemployment, or it might not. It is an option, and in an economy hurting for more job-finding options, the site acts as a good example for others. Dutkowsky said websites like Jobs Express are significant resources for people searching for jobs.

‘If the site streamlines the job search process, it’s a step in the right direction. Let’s fill up jobs that are open sufficiently and efficiently,’ he said. ‘SMART is not a dramatic move, but it makes best use of filling the jobs we do have open.’

asmuckel@syr.edu 

Published on November 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Andrew: asmuckel@syr.edu