NC college grads look to delay entering job market

RALEIGH — Seniors graduating from North Carolina colleges this week are looking for alternatives to job hunting in the dismal economy.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Monday that many students will head to graduate school to avoid trying to find a job. Others are entering community service programs.

Twenty-two-year-old Rachel McInturff of Mooresville is graduating from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a degree in environmental studies. McInturff says she’s been accepted to graduate school in Wilmington, but doesn’t want that additional debt.

UNC-Chapel Hill says graduate school applications are up 7 percent from 2008, while budget cuts are reducing admissions by 5 percent.

Officials at Duke University are encouraging students to consider jobs outside their planned choice.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)