In a harsh economy where job security has become a great concern, outgoing NIU students looking to enter the work force have much to worry about.

After spending four or more years earning their bachelor’s degree, students may question whether they have put forth the time and money to have studied the right major or if their major will help them get a job at all.


Raymi Ugarte

Age: 33
Occupation: Human Resources Manager
Employer: Power Packaging
Graduated: 2005
Major: Human Resources Management

Raymi Ugarte was an international student from Peru and has found success in America. He works at the Batavia and St. Charles sites for Power Packaging, a manufacturer and packaging service company for various food companies.

After receiving his Human Resources Management major from NIU, he has found it to be helpful to his career.

“The major really helps you in terms of the knowledge you gain, organizational behavior and the training you will do,” Ugarte said.

Ugarte also said in his experience he has learned that grades and GPA do not really count for much when looking for a job.

“What you learn in school is great, but it’s only a foundation for who you will be,” Ugarte said. “Nothing works like it’s written in the books.”

As a HR manager, he spends most of his time in an office but some of it on the factory floor getting familiar with the workers and how everything operates. He takes care of employee and manager relation issues and implements and enforces procedures and policies of the parent company Excel.

But his first job after graduation was with the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin where he served as a trainer for the staff, making about $40,000 annually but also working nights, weekends and holidays.

Ugarte lives by what he makes. He does not have much of a disposable income so he rents a place to live without cable or Internet, drives a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant and has a credit card debt to pay off from his NIU years.

He also has an ex-wife with two daughters whom he sees on the weekend when he’s not working, playing soccer or raquetball at the gym or hanging out with his friends.

As for whether the economy has had an effect on his life, he said he has had to cut his spending.

“I don’t spend out of my limits,” Ugarte said. “I don’t have a plasma TV or a brand new car, but if you think about it, there’s not really much you can cut out so I’m living to a bare minimum.”

For the outgoing students of NIU, Ugarte said, “finding a job is the most important thing. That job is going to get you through and help you pay for your student loans and things like that, so you have to get the best job you can, and if you have to settle for less, go ahead and settle but temporarily.”

For the future, Ugarte is looking to pay off his credit card debt, get his official certification as a Human Resources Manager and get his Master’s degree.

As for whether he has been happy or not, Ugarte has been pleased with how far he has come.

“Happiness is relative, but I’m happy with what I have and who I am, I mean, I came with nothing but at least I have a car, a TV, a career with goals and how I’m going to get there.”

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