Sequena Moon is hunting for a job.

She’s sent out feelers for nearly 100 positions, but she’s gotten offers from only three. None of the offers would pay her what her master’s degree in public administration warrants.

“The state job search is scarce. As of March 12 most branches of government are under a hiring slowdown,” said Moon, a Georgia College & State University graduate student who will be hooded Friday evening. “I’m seeking a job that will utilize the degrees I have. My MPA will allow me to work at all three levels of government — local, state and federal — but I’m looking primarily for a state job.”

Moon works in the office of University Communications as an administrative assistant, and has for a few years. But she’s ready to move on to a job that will put her education to better use.

“I would like to do something in admissions at a college. I think I’d be a good example for retaining minority students,” Moon said.

In the midst of the current economic downturn GCSU’s career center staff has continued to review student resumes, cover letters and teach job-seeking skills to help students transition from college to career.

“Most of the time we see students who require assistance developing their resumes or cover letters, or help improving their interviewing skills,” Jennifer Cash, assistant director of the center, said. “I’ve also found that students’ ability to tap the hidden job market needs strengthening. Most jobs out there aren’t ever advertised.”

The hidden job market could be useful to students like Moon.

“Nearly 80 percent of jobs out there aren’t advertised for,” Cash said. “We stress networking. Many students fail to recognize that they can tap into the hidden job market simply by networking.”

Networking can be as simple as making small talk at the grocery store or businesses the job-seeker frequents, Cash said.

One graduating student said she’s banking on a summer internship to lead her to a career in marketing.

“I’m doing an internship this summer in Greenville, S.C., and through it I hope I’ll get a job offer from them,” Sarah Parillo, a mass communications major, said.

If the Greenville marketing studio follows the lead of Georgia’s government, Parillo could find herself in trouble.

“Plan B is just making it up as I go along,” she said.

Fellow student Jamie Waugh has more time with which to find her career.