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QUINCY, IL -- The U.S. Labor Department reports that jobless claims last week increased to more than 500,000. That increase puts jobless claims at similar levels to the recession of the early 1990's. Those numbers may make college students on the verge of graduation cringe.

Kristen Liesen is the Coordinator of Career Services at Quincy University. She says, even though the economy is in turmoil now, that won't translate to unemployment for recent graduates.  She says there are jobs available.

"Absolutely. And I think in some of the fields I'm seeing a lot of openings in technology, your education fields, health care, still some business and a lot of criminal justice positions," Liesen said.

The majority of QU students study business and education.  Last year, the recent graduating class had a 95% placement rate within three months after graduation, either in the workforce or graduate school.  But the economy has changed quite a bit since last year, which may create fear in some students.

"I don't think that they're worried. They're really on the ball this year about preparation," she said.

Liesen says that's in part to students paying attention to the news. She told me lots of students are asking for help with resumes, mock interviews and getting experience with internships, keeping them on the fast track to a bright future in a not so bright economic time.

Liesen says now may not be a bad time to go back to school. She says she's seeing a lot more students and Alumni who want to continue their education.