Many have noted changes in the employment sector in the last year or so, with many companies seeming to be short staffed. This appears to be the case in the professional helping field in northern Utah, which has been of great benefit to students preparing to make the transition into the professional workforce. At agencies where students used to have to compete for a finite number of intern positions, what we refer to as Practicum in the HDFS department, there seems to be many more opportunities recently. Additionally, these positions have more often been beginning as paid jobs or have quickly turned to employed work early in students' practicum experiences. Indeed, in the weekly department announcements, we frequently have professional agencies who are hiring listing positions available.

At the conclusion of the practicum experience, a number of students have recently reported that will be remaining at the agency and are on a career track, with opportunities for advancement and career money and benefits forthcoming. One example of this is Mia Anderson, a student completing the Family Finance emphasis of our degree in USU's Financial Aid department. This position quickly morphed from a part-time internship to full-time employment, doing something she enjoys. A new benefit associated with attending Utah State University and receiving a degree in the Human Development and Family Studies department is that more than ever, quality employment opportunities await graduates, which often begin during the practicum period.