They fear they won't get a job with TI or other companies if the economy does not improve soon. Many Richland College students studying engineering, computers and other technology degree plans are now wondering if their years of studies will yield a job when they graduate. Moushumi Khandker was hoping to get work with Texas Instruments, which announced hundreds of layoffs. We don't know if we can get in or not because the economy is so bad.
Officials insist students pursuing engineering and design jobs have nothing to worry about.
The cuts are focused more in manufacturing and support functions like human resources and finance. But they admit because of the economy they only have about 100 job openings nationwide in specialized areas as opposed to 2,000 jobs during the third, quarter of last year. Two hundred to 300 of those were people hired right out of college. Susan Vongthachak predicts consumers will eventually be back looking to buy the latest technology, which she hopes will be her ideas. She and other students, hope an upswing in demand for products coupled with opportunities from companies like Texas Instruments will help fulfill their dreams of building products and technology for the future.