BYU-Idaho career services benefits students

For those students experiencing pre-graduation, and unemployment related stress the BYU-Idaho Career Services offer several ways to prepare to launch yourself into the job market.

Career Preparation Services encourage students to set up meeting with mentors, to utilize Resume, Cover Letter and Interviewing Resources and to attend Career workshops.

The Career services center also sponsor the career fair, Internship Expeditions and the 7-city hub Internship fair.

“ My internship expedition to Seattle changed my life” said senior David Packard “ It really helped me to understand the job market and prepare myself for what is coming”
For more career advice see byui.edu/careerservices

School districts face budget cuts

The Sugar-Salem board of Trustees met Thursday to discuss the financial state of the Sugar-Salem school district.

According to Alan Dunn, district superintendent the yearly budget has been cut by approximately 1 million dollars this year.

These cuts will mainly effect the funding used for extracurricular funding.
At the meeting on Thursday Dunn announced the district will be asking for a $450,000 supplement to their depleted budget.

These cuts are to be statewide. School districts in Idaho are struggling with a 7.5 percent reduction across the board in Idaho’s school budgets.

According to Idaho Education Association president Sherri Wood, these cuts are making it even tougher for some of the states teachers to earn a living wage.
The Idaho education system is not the only one coping with slashed budgets, 23,500 Californian educators were handed pink slips in the last two years, and the Kansas City school district will be closing the doors of 28 of its 61 schools.

Diane Ravitch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, expect the budget cuts to damage the education system.

"I think the budget cuts will devastate the schools at the same time that we expect them to raise standards and improve performance," Ravitch wrote in an e-mail to AOL News. "We will see larger classes, fewer programs to engage students in the arts and physical education, fewer advanced courses."

2010 Census

For many Americans filling out the census is just one more thing to add to an ever-expanding to-do list.

“If you’ve not mailed back your 2010 census form, please do” said former white house senior adviser Karl Rove.

The census has been attracting a lot of attention in recent weeks and citizens continue to question why they should even bother.

The census is used for a variety of purposes, including the count and deportation of illegal aliens, to track behavior (sniff out terrorist activity) and to send money in deserving directions.

According to the Twin Falls Times-News Idaho’s participation rate in the 2000 census was 75 percent.

According the 2008 census the population of Madison County is 37.456, statistician anticipate a nearly possibly 10% population gain between the 2008 census to today.

College grads find themselves unemployed

 The rough economy effects even the most secure fields.

The average college student graduates owing approximately 19,000 dollars in student loans and 2,700 dollars in credit card debt.

Up to ten percent of students owe as much as $7,000 upon their graduation.

BYU-Idaho students are no exception. Between 40-60 percent of BYU-Idaho students are in some form of debt for school, and the eventuality of graduating and paying off that debt becomes a more and more abstract concept as the job market continues to suffer.

According to collegeaftermath.com “There is very little in life more discouraging than spending thousands and thousands of dollars on an education only to find no one willing to give you a job and a chance.”

More and more graduates are finding themselves squarely in this category. Only 19.7 percent of college graduates who applied for jobs in 2009 are actually employed in their intended field today.

Although the statistics looks grim, all is not lost.

“Flexibility is the most important characteristic when on the job hunt” said Brian Decker, a “head hunter” located in Seattle Washington. “Students who are multi faceted are the only ones who can hope to have any kind of stability, or employment potential”  

Finding a job is not easy in our current economic recession, and those students loans seem to continually hang over the heads of all those with an impending graduation and therefore launch into what students often refer to as “the real world.”

“Whatever situation you find yourself in, the important thing is to be willing and able to step back and take a good look at the big picture. Remembering what you’ve accomplished thus far, reminding yourself of how young you are, and realizing that nothing is permanent” said collegeaftermath.com

Businesses in Rexburg struggle

The Hogi Yogi, a once popular student 'hang out' was forced to close its doors this semester due to tough economic times.

Hollywood Video in Rexburg, along with many other locations, is closing down due to other competitors such as Netflicks and Redbox.

Unemployment rate continues rise in February

The Idaho Bureau of Labor released the February jobless rates this week. The year 2010 began with employers hesitant to bring new hires into the labor force, which qualified December of 2009 and January of 2010 as being the least amount of new workers hired in any two-month period on record.

February's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to 9.5 percent and stopping just short of breaking the record 9.6 percent rate in 1982-83.

The February rate jumped another two-tenths of a point to 9.5 percent after rising two-tenths to 9.3 percent in January from a revised December rate of 9.1 percent. That put Idaho within two-tenths of the national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent – the closest Idaho’s rate has been to the national mark since the 2001 recession.

The number of jobless Americans in Eastern Idaho hit 71,000 in February which is up 1,500 from January.

The Idaho Bureau of Labor reported that 20,300 Idahoans  were unemployed in February of 2010.

This is especially bad news for students preparing for graduation.

As senior Rachel Doxey prepares for graduation her apprehension is rising.

"I was excited to graduate and enter the work force" said Doxey " But now I am realizing, 'what work force' there is nothing out there for me."

Graduates are realizing that they are going to have to be willing to work whatever job may come along. Brian Jensen, BYU-I alum graduated Winter of 2009 and is still looking for a job in his chosen field of English, professional writing.

"I have been working at a jewelry store in the mall, and I am getting by" said Jensen " All my college diploma is doing is gathering dust"

Rexburg recyling

Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find.

Rexburg has recently announced changes toward becoming a more eco-friendly environment.

The “Rexburg Recycles” program provides city and area residents with drop-off stations where the residents can separate their recyclables, according to the Rexburg Web site.

The stations are equipped with blue recycle bins where students and Rexburg residents can work together towards a more environmental friendly city.

These recycle bins will be located in the Wal-Mart’s front parking lot, Broulim's back parking lot, Rexburg Tabernacle’s back parking lot, Madison Middle School’s parking lot and Madison High School’s parking lot.

Acceptable recyclables include plastics #1 (water or soda bottles), plastics #2 (shampoo bottles, milk jugs, etc.), aluminum cans, office supplies printer and notebook paper, manila folders), newspapers and catalogues and corrugated cardboard.
The City of Rexburg has also initiated a recycling challenge called “Can’s For Cash”
The United States Convergence of Mayors, Novelis Corporation and Keep America Beautiful have come together to encourage U.S. cities to be recycle friendly.

Rexburg has responded to this challenge by encouraging citizens to put forth an extra effort in recycling aluminum cans throughout the month of October.
A few tips for making recycling part of your routine could include choosing products that are packaged in Rexburg Recycle Receptacle friendly materials. Also, separating your recyclables at home will make for an efficient drop off.

In addition to the blue recycling bins found around Rexburg,several businesses will have recycling boxes to facilitate citizens participation in Rexburg’s new efforts to recycle. Some of those businesses are Subway, Hogi Yogi, Uptown Bagel, Millhollow Frozen Yogurt, Beehive Federal Credit Union, Kmart, and Mom's Kandy Kitchen.
“If it was convenient [ to recycle} then why not? It’s just stupid not to, but I think as students we have a lot to focus on so that’s not really a top priority for me, but I think if it was more convenient it would definitely be something I would consider,” said freshman Emily Channer.

The city of Rexburg does request that citizens are responsible and remember to sort and place the recyclables in the appropriate bins

When utilizing the new drop off bins there are many things to remember. Empty and crush aluminum cans before disposing of them. Remove all spiral binding and metal tabs when disposing of office supplies. Remember, do NOT drop off glue bound paper, construction paper, shredded paper or plastic materials. Also, breakdown all boxes, and keep cereal boxes, paper plates or boxes with food or grease stains in the accepted trash receptacles.

If you come to a drop off station and discover it is full, please call 359-3020

Idaho Gas Prices

Gas prices in Idaho rose 6.2 cents per gallon this week. Today, the average gallon of gas bought in Eastern Idaho is about $2.89 per gallon.

Americans, and Eastern Idahoans in particular have become accustom to the epps and flows in the gas realm of the economy.

"I'm not even willing to get worked up over it anymore" said Senior Ryan Rupp "Gas, is expensive, I have learned that I just need to deal with it, and I know it is only going to probably get worse"

This week the national average has only increased 3.3 cents per gallon, which is 3.1 cents higher than the national average, which is $2.81/gallon.


On this day last year gas prices were $1.10 per gallon, on this day last month prices were .20 cents cheaper, as opposed to the national average, which increased .15 cents per gallon in the last month, and .87 cents in the last year

Rexburg Hollywood Video to close.

 Photo credit- slashfilm.com

Video rental stores have become a tradition in the American Friday night, but recently, these establishments have run into trouble.

The seemingly unbreakable chain of Hollywood Video which has over 2,700 stores could potentially close as many as 1,000 stores.

The Rexburg location is one of the many stores closing due to the recent downfall of large video rental chains.

Netflix, Redbox and internet movie streaming as well as illegal downloading of movies has made the process of driving to the store and paying almost five dollars to rent a movie completely archaic.

The Rexburg Hollywood video location will be holding an "everything must go" sale from March 8-14

BYU-Idaho Recycling

Amid economic strife, BYU-Idaho administration is making an effort to support student run programs.

The Student Representative Council at BYU-Idaho has launched a new Recycling program to supplement Rexburg's new agenda focusing on an environmentally friendly campus.

Students of BYU-Idaho have become familiar with the posters that blanket campus informing them of the new program on campus called "Recycling Runners" The program is thrilled.

According to Student Representative Council Representative Kaitlin New The administration is very supportive of the program and anxious to see it successful.

Rexburg welcomes Gelato to Rexburg

photo credit- Brittney Large

A unique new Ice cream parlor, Dolce Vita, has come to Rexburg.

The family-owned Dolce Vita specializes in a frozen treat called gelato. Gelato is a kind of all natural European ice cream made with milk instead of cream. Dolce Vita also serves sorbet, which is water-based ice cream.

Owner Shelli Lazalde has had many questions about how she will be able to sustain such a risky business when the "extras" in many peoples budgets are being cut.

She answers that the unique nature of the business will ultimately be their success.

“Everything we use to make the gelato is imported from Italy; the only thing we get in the States is the milk and sugar,” said owner Shelli Lazalde.

Dolce Vita has over 100 all natural gelato flavor possibilities, including white chocolate cheesecake, nutella, pistachio and wild strawberry. 12 of these flavors are available daily.

“Dolce Vita presents a unique authentic experience,” said sophomore Holly Thompson. “From the moment I stepped in the door I felt like I had been transported to Italy for a little treat”

Seasonal flavors include chocolate covered pear, cream caramel, cinnamon, blueberry cheesecake and chocolate covered strawberry.

Crepes, organic soups, Panini’s, a triple layer chocolate cake, Italian sodas and hot drinks of all varieties, including caramel apple cider, are among some of the other offerings. They will also be offering cookie dough frappachino’s in upcoming weeks. Side bar???

Freshman Jenna Cabe said “the flavor explosion” they she experienced at Dolce Vita was unlike any other gourmet experience that [she] had ever had.

Several “gelato experts” (missionaries recently returned from the Rome Italy Rome Mission) were pleased with their experience at Dolce Vita.

Sophomore Kyle Lombardo said “It’s just like Italian gelato,” said sophomore Kyle Lombardo.

The “experts” said that not only is the gelato authentic, but the ambiance is very Italian.

“It’s as Italian as you will get here in America; it reminded me of my sweet Italian home,” said sophomore Kenny Aycoc.

Dolce Vita is open Monday through Thursday 3-9 p.m. and 3-10 weekends. It is located next to Taco Bell on Main Street.

Enough to Spare

In spite of the national economic recession, citizens of Rexburg are finding a way to give back.

As an African history professor, Dr. David Pigott, a professor of African History, could spend his time reading and researching; instead, Pigott has decided to make a difference.

He founded Enough to Spare after visiting Uganda in 2005 and observing the construction of a library at Nkumba University.

Enough to Spare is a unique foundation that focuses on providing school fees and educating as many young people as possible in Uganda.

According to Pigott, an education is fundamental to the success of any nation and currently 42 percent of African youth do not have an opportunity to attend school.

When asked how he expects to make any difference when so many are in need, Piggott related the parable of the Starfish:

Once upon a time a grandfather took his grandson walking along the beach. As they walk along the beach the grandson notices many hundreds of Starfish drying up along the shore. He begins to toss them back into the ocean. After many hours of this, the Grandfather finally tells the grandson to give up because there is no way he can save the Starfish. The grandson then looks up and tells his grandfather “I can’t save them all, but I can save this one” as he tosses another into the ocean.

The main goal of Enough to Spare is to bring as much education to Africa as possible, one student at a time.

Sponsors of Enough to Spare pay about $250 for a whole year's worth of primary and secondary school education. However, Enough to Spare encourages donations of any size.

“[Education] starts not by governments, not the United Nations, not the World Bank or any multi-national. It starts one to one, on the personal level. This is where Enough to Spare comes in. We have trustworthy contacts in Uganda who oversee your donations towards paying for the education of orphaned, impoverished, and destitute children who otherwise would have no chance in life,” according to www.enoughtospare.org.

Enough to Spares name originates from Doctrine and Covenants 104:17, which says, “The Earth is full and there is enough to spare.” The foundation hopes to involve BYU–Idaho students as much as possible.

Along with a textbook donation drop box available at the entrance to the Joseph Fielding Smith Building, the foundation is currently holding a backpack drive. The charity is asking students to bring their used backpacks to the Smith Building, room 452, to help African children make school more productive. If possible, donate your used backpack full of school supplies (pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notebooks, etc.).

Guests enjoy atmosphere at new Marriott

Marriot grand opening represents a turn in the Rexburg Economy

Students, faculty, and Rexburg community members gathered Friday to witness the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Marriott located near the West Yellowstone Highway.

Guests to the grand opening were greeted at the door with a “passport” and were encouraged to visit various locations within the hotel, including the pool, Jacuzzi, conference rooms and several suites.

Donna Benfield, a city council member, kicked off the ribbon cutting ceremony with a speech describing the effects of the new hotel on the Rexburg economy. Benfield said the Rexburg economy is a three legged stool of BYU-Idaho, agriculture, and the travel and tourism industry.

She is optimistic about the future of the Rexburg economy and is excited about the new hotel.

Benfield said 90 percent of the visitors to Idaho last year drove, which “plays right into the hotel industry.”

Hotels are a key component of the economy, she continued, adding that for every bus or motor coach that stays over night in a city four to five thousand dollars will be spent in that town.

The overall reaction to the new tourist destination was favorable. April Spaulding, the area director for the Heber J. Grant program and an attendee at the event said the new hotel’s theme was “an interesting mix of time periods but still [maintained] a very contemporary design; the non- traditional rooms [were ideal for a comfortable stay].”

Many guests noted the unique layout and design of the hotel. Savannah Jagielski, an assistant in the admissions office at BYU-Idaho who also attended the event, said the design was “light, refreshing and clean.”

The students who attended were also impressed with the new hotel. “It would be fun to host an event or a dance party here,” said Leah Chiriboga, a sophomore studying political science.

National recession effects seen locally as several local business close their doors.

Many local businesses are struggling in light of the recent recession. Local eateries Hogi Yogi, Gandolfo’s (pictured below) and Uptown Bagels all went out of business in December. Although Idaho’s unemployment rate is 9.1 percent Rexburg’s unemployment rate is approximately 8 percent as of December 2009.

Idaho unemployment at 9.1 percent

The Idaho Department of Labor released a revised unemployment statement on Jan. 20 stating the unemployment rate in Idaho is 9.1 percent.

In spite of an increasingly negative national economic climate of 10 percent unemployment, Idaho’s total number of employed remained at just over 685,000.

The Idaho Department of Labor determined that was nearly 200 more people than originally anticipated were unemployed.

However, the newest numbers report the least amount of unemployed citizens since January 2005. The gap in total jobs continued to close in December.

It was only fractionally smaller than in November at a year-over-year loss of 5.3 percent.

Who is counted as unemployed?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior 4 weeks and are currently available for work. Actively looking for work may consist of any of the following activities:

• Contacting:
- An employer directly or having a job interview
- A public or private employment agency
- Friends or relatives
- A school or university employment center
• Sending out resumes or filling out applications
• Placing or answering advertisements
• Checking union or professional registers
• Some other means of active job search

BYU–I students struggle to find employment

Joshua Holmstead is a junior at BYU-Idaho. He is off track this semester, and his schedule is wide open. Holmstead is known as a hard worker and has years of work experience. Although he is a highly qualified engineering student, he is willing to except any employment, menial or otherwise. Still, Holmstead is unemployed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate rose from 9.8 to 10.2 percent in October 2009.

To some students, the unemployment rate once meant next to nothing; now a 0.4 percent jump is a crippling blow to many students trying to imagine a career in post-academic life.

The Economic Policy Institute recently reported that the unemployment level of college graduates surpasses that of high school dropouts.

“Things fell apart really fast last year, but it looks like the job market for graduates has hit a bottom,” said Phil Gardner, director of MSU’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute.
Since October 2008, the unemployment rate for men and women, age 16 to 20, has gone up by almost 4 percent. Many college students find it next to impossible to find a job while in school.
BYU–Idaho students have found the quest especially tiresome.

Although unemployment rate in Rexburg is lower than the national unemployment rate, students find it almost impossible to find employment. The opportunities are scarce and the competition is fierce.

While unemployed, Holmstead applied to Melaleuca, Craigo’s, Broulim’s and many other local Rexburg locations, but to no avail.

He eventually found work at a local temporary agency, but the hours are unstable and unpredictable. Luckily, between savings and scholarships, Holmstead has been able to stay afloat; however not all students are as lucky.

Sophomore Courtney Gopp searched for the first month of the semester, but eventually just gave up.
“It took more time away from my studies to find a job then to actually have one,” Gopp said.

National Unemployment Rate

Marriott begins construction in Rexburg

SpringHill Suites, a branch of the Marriott International family, is scheduled to open the doors of its new Rexburg hotel in mid-November.

Benjamin Lee and Joseph Sybrowsky, general and sales managers of the new hotel, are thrilled to be open for business in Rexburg.

Market research experts at Marriott International have done extensive research and found a lot of demand for the upcoming location.

Most hotels in Rexburg fill up over the summer due to traffic to different national parks and also the student and parent traffic that BYU–Idaho provides according to Sybrowsky and Lee.

The local hotels are also often stretched to capacity at the beginning and end of the semesters and also during mother’s and graduation weekends. There is also a surprising amount of business travel in the area.

“We do want to be integrated into the community and in so doing, we want to be hiring from the community and from BYU–Idaho so we can be part of this growing city,” Sybrowsky said.

SpringHill’s suite is a “hipper, more trendy” Marriott. Sybrowsky described the new location as a hotel for the “traveler or business person who hates to travel.”
The rooms are stylish and functional; some amenities include a microwave, complimentary breakfast fridge, pool and spa and in-room iPod technology.
Some of the hotel’s highlights are spacious studio suites, innovatively laid out, stylishly furnished and smartly designed,” according to www.marriott.com.

The lobby is spacious and inviting; it inspires a calming, relaxing atmosphere, according to the web site.

The new hotel will be holding a grand opening ceremony 30 to 60 days after opening, which will include a ribbon cutting and a charitable donation or event of some kind.
The Marriott corporation began in 1927 as a root beer stand in Washington D.C. owned by J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott. Now, Marriott International includes over 3,200 lodging properties both international and within the United States according to www.marriott.com.

The typical SpringHill’s guest stay is between three to five nights. The rate will be approximately $109 per night.

Shopping center to open in Rexburg.

A new shopping center on Second South is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010 as part of a development project by the Hemming Corporation. Representatives from the company said the project is designed to revitalize the Rexburg community.

The shopping center is part of the development project called Hemming Village and will include seven new retailers. There will be two to three eating establishments, and new clothing stores will also open in Hemming Village.

The Hemming Corporation has deep roots in the Rexburg community. The shopping center is located across from the home property that owners Lane and Val Hemming grew up in, and they see the development as a way to preserve their family history.

“I’m the last of the Hemmings that will actually live in Rexburg. We wanted to figure out a way to hold onto our name in this community,” said Lane Hemming, owner of Hemming Village.

The property stretches over nearly 14 acres just west of campus.
“[The shopping center] is right downtown. It’s so close to student housing it’s almost continuous to the campus. It will be somewhere that students can hang out, with eateries and clothing,” Hemming said.

The project began in 2008 but was delayed due to the economic recession.
“We did have a delay for a period because of financing, but the project is now moving forward because we got the financing we need,” said Richie Webb, president of the Hemming Corporation.

The financial struggle delayed the plans for a hotel and convention center.
The hotel and convention center are expected to begin construction in four to five years.

“We’ve shifted our focus and moved our money in a different direction,” Hemming said.
While the current economic climate is still a concern, Hemming said that developing the community is now important enough to keep the projects on track.

“I just feel like Rexburg, Idaho, is going to grow, especially because of the university,” Hemming said. “If we’re not proactive, it’s not going to go in the direction we want it to. Look at downtown Idaho Falls ... the old downtown area is dying. I don’t want that to happen to Rexburg.”

BYU–I students are excited about the potential new shopping center and look forward to more retail options being available in Rexburg.

Sophomore Taylor Phillips said he will probably shop at Hemming Village when it opens.
“There are not that many stores in Rexburg and it would be cool to have more options,” Phillips said.

Really Rexburg.

The national economic climate is changing. American maintain less and less confidence in our once internationally envied fiscal situation. We are beginning to see the effects in our day-to-day lives as friends and neighbors lose their employment and consequently their homes and are forced to seek alternative circumstances.

This issue is no longer a mere subject for dinner table fodder or for disconnected politicians, but a new reality that forces us to reexamine our financial choices and ultimately our values and basic instincts.

Over the next 12 weeks I will observe the Rexburg Economy and chronicle my findings in several mediums including print, broadcasting, and blog posts.

I will focus on the negative economic current and its effects on specific local establishments, citizens, and the students of Brigham Young University Idaho.