SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -- With a down economy and people struggling to find and keep jobs, it's not a great time for college grads to find work.
The unemployment rate in Iowa is 6.8%; Nebraska, 4.7%; and 4.4% in South Dakota.
However, incoming freshman and soon to be graduating seniors at Sioux City's Briar Cliff University all have thoughts and plans for themselves as they walk in and out of college.
It's move-in day at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City and there's a mix of emotions as students get set to head back to class.
Sure, there's the usual nervous freshman and the upper classmen excited to see each other again.
But there's something different that's weighing on student's minds. A bad economy.
Josh Johnson, Briar Cliff Freshman said, "I hope it gets better. I think we're on the right path to make it better."
Kate Swanson, Briar Cliff Freshman said, "I'm positive so I hope that it gets better but it might just stay the same while I'm here. I'm not sure."
For these freshman, the economy has a little bit more time to turn around. Still as the seniors quickly found out, four years go by fast. So, the new students aren't wasting any time.
Melanie Rainosek, Briar Cliff Freshman said, "Just do the best I can to make sure I'm at the top level of people when I graduate so hopefully I'll be a top choice for jobs."
And for the seniors, the clock is ticking.
Graduating seniors here at Briar Cliff are understandably uneasy about being thrust into a job market that right now is anything but easy to break into.
Parker Sones, Briar Cliff Senior said, "If I can do anything to kind of delay going out into an unstable work environment as of right now, then I'll definitely try to seize that opportunity."
Some were confident as freshman, but as things often do in college, that changed over the years.
Hillary Beyer, Briar Cliff Senior said, "Get my degree and then I'll start, go out and get a job. Now it's like oh my gosh, how am I going to get a job with the economy the way that it is?"
Whether they have their entire college career ahead of them or are ready to wrap up their time at Briar Cliff, these students will hit the books knowing an education goes a long way in a tough economy.
As has become a common occurrence the past few years, students say if they can't get a job when the graduate, they'll go back to school.
Classes will start for all Briar Cliff students next week.
