Statesman

Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Tyler Sweeney Junior David Dietz takes advantage of the cheap gas and said that the lower prices have allowed him to travel more.

In the crazy presidential campaign that just came to a close, the economy has been arguably the central concern of American voters. Many are suggesting another depression, and a struggling Wall Street has the country worried. As college students, we too are struggling.

So what are students thinking about the current economy, and how is it affecting their decisions for both now and the future?

"I don't want to go home as much," said senior Brenda Witschen. "Even though gas prices have gone down, I find myself not wanting to drive places-that's money I could have for more important things."

Many students share this idea, saying that driving in itself often costs too much to make the trip worthwhile.

"Even if I'm not going to spend money where I'm going, the cost of driving alone, will make me not go somewhere," said junior Chris Anderson.

Students say they are spending and driving less, but that doesn't necessarily ease their troubles. Many are also worried about what they will find after graduation.

"I am worried about not getting a job when I graduate," Witschen said. "Right now it's not so bad because I can get an on-campus job or a part-time job, but the people out in the real world with real jobs are getting laid off right now, and I'm worried there won't be as many opportunities for me when I get out there."

Pedro Albuquerque, assistant professor of economics at UMD, said that these are all common worries for college students during crises such as this.

"Based on previous recessions, economic crises always affect the lives of students," Albuquerque said. "A lot of businesses don't like to fire people, so they close positions to newly graduated students, and it's tough to get experience."

However, Albuquerque also said that a struggling economy does not have to make our future look so bleak.

"There are a few positive things that come out of this," Albuquerque said. "We probably won't see tuition go up, and interest rates will stay low because people won't have the money with the economy hurting. Also, we have seen a growing interest in economics-students are taking more economic classes, and there are more students going to graduate school."

Continued...

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