GREELEY, Colo. ÷ Unfortunately for senior visual arts major Ryan Talbot, finding a job in his field after graduation is not an easy task.

"As an art major, it's very difficult to find a job," Talbot said. "Many art majors end up going into teaching, and since there have been such drastic budget cuts in education, this makes it even harder."

Some students procrastinate when it comes to researching their career.

The most crucial thing graduating seniors need to realize is they need to begin their job search early, said Marlaine Mowitz, director of University of Northern Colorado Career Services.

With the current poor economic conditions, the average time for getting jobs out of college can be anywhere from six months to a year.

There has been a drop in placed graduates, whether they are employed or attending graduate school, according to the University of Northern Colorado Summary of 2000-2001 Alumni Survey Report.

"Although our current economic situation is down, we know students are still getting jobs," Mowitz said. "It's just a lot harder."

There still is a strong market for nurses and secondary education teachers, while there has been a decline in opportunities for elementary education teachers. Industries that are being hit the hardest include nonprofit organizations, federal government positions and state and local government positions, Mowitz said.

Art Willis, owner of Colorado Business Services in Greeley, Colo., thinks that graduating seniors need to realize it's not what they know, it's what they can do with what they know.