“Now Hiring.” The phrase can be both a blessing and a curse. These words, especially when posted on the internet, lure many lost, confused and discouraged job seekers into possible scams and inevitable dead ends.

Fortunately for students, SF State offers solutions to unemployment that can give students professional experience for the future.

“I enjoy working here,” said Garrett Deese, a 29-year-old senior marketing major and marketing manager for the student center. “The center gives students a laboratory to apply the skills learned in class in the morning to real life in the afternoon. The entire staff is very supportive and well-versed on how to deal with students. They know how to give students the freedom to express their ideas but also give them direction to get the work that needs to be done, done.”

Outside of the student center, many departments around campus are looking for students to assist with special projects.

One such project, the International Education Week put on by the Office of International Programs, can bolster a student’s reputation within a department. Employees can benefit from written recommendations from University staff and professional ties once they graduate.

Gina Caprari, a 24-year-old graduate student in English literature who works as the administrative office coordinator for the anthropology department, maintains that tenacity is the key to employment.

“Don’t just settle for GatorJOBS,” Caprari said. “Even if you think you might not qualify, you should still apply, because many of you really are (qualified). You never know.”

The J. Paul Leonard Library is another source of employment, according to Byanka Fontes, a senior psychology major who works as a barista at Peet’s Coffee & Tea in the library.

“It’s a fun job, but sometimes you have to wake up at like 6:30 a.m.,” Fontes said. “You make great tips though and it’s convenient because it’s on campus.”

Before Peet’s, Fontes worked for the department of child and adolescent development for the College of Health and Social Sciences as a receptionist. Part-time and full-time jobs are available, but internships can be a vital link between ‘freelancing’ and employment.

Hunter Smith, a communications studies major and senior, experienced the value of the SF State Career Center and GatorJOBS websites firsthand.

“GatorJOBS worked out for me during the summer. I found internships for two summers. I never actually went to the career center, but the website helped out,” Smith said. When a publicity project manager position opened up at the student center, 21-year-old Smith jumped at the opportunity. Now, he looks forward to working with staff and promoting activities at the student center.

For students who haven’t found the right job yet, the University will hold a job fair Thursday, Sept. 6 in the quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a graduate school fair Oct. 4 in the quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tearsa Joy Hammock contributed to this report.