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DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas—-As Texas Independence Day approaches on March 2, a survey about recession perceptions shows the resounding majority of Texans still feel the indomitable spirit that inspired the Alamo. Ninety-five percent of those who participated in the Everest College survey said they consider themselves independent despite the difficult economic outlook.
Texans are also showing Texas is a state of mind by being proactive to meet the effects of the downturn head on. More than half (55 percent) indicate they’ve considered a new job, a career change or additional schooling to counteract recession effects.
“Texans have always been known for having an independent spirit, meeting the challenges of difficult times with courage and resourcefulness,” said Hershell Ernest Jr., a career and education expert with Everest College. “Those who can use that spirit to adapt to the times, leveraging and increasing their marketability in occupations faring well despite the tough economy, position themselves to come out on top.”
Texans also feel they’re doing better than the rest of the country, with more than half (54 percent) saying they feel less affected by the recession living in Texas. They also feel positive about their job prospects, with 64 percent feeling some degree of optimism about finding a new job.
“Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom out there,” said Ernest. “Every day I see students find new positions in fields best suited to weather a recession, including healthcare, sales and customer service, accounting, and heating and air conditioning. The key is not necessarily to get a high-level degree, but to specialize and seek a job in an area that sees demand even in hard times, and most importantly, makes you happy.”
Although the state has seen an increase in unemployment figures, Texan optimism is not entirely unfounded. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the most recently available unemployment figures were at 6.0 percent in December, more than a full percentage point below the nationwide rate of 7.2 percent.
Select fields even added positions, including healthcare and social assistance, which added more than 28,000 jobs in Texas during the 12-month period ending in December. Other fields that have added jobs in the last year are automotive, electronics, and commercial repair and maintenance.
The statewide survey was conducted by Promark Research Corporation, a public opinion research firm, on behalf of Everest College in honor of Texas Independence Day, which is an official state holiday each Mar. 2. The celebration is in honor of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.
About Everest College
Everest Colleges and Institutes provide career-oriented diploma and degree programs in healthcare, criminal justice, skilled trades, business, paralegal, and information technology. Everest has eight Texas locations in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio and more than 100 schools in the U.S. and Canada. Everest Colleges and Institutes are owned by Corinthian Colleges, Inc., one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America. For more information, visit www.everest.edu.
(BUSINESS WIRE)
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