Life in the economic downturn

Name: Richard Nieva
Hometown: Hayward, CA
How has the economic downturn affected you? It's definitely affected how I look at my future in a couple of months. It's making me more worried about how I'm gonna pay for my cost-of-living and what kind of job I'm gonna get and whether that's gonna dictate whether I'm looking for a career or just something to pay the bills.

No money, but no more school either

Name: Cecile Nguyen
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Graduation date: June 2009
Effect of the economic downturn: It made me a little more nervous about once I graduate. I know there won't be as good a job market as I'd want there to be. A lot of my friends are going into grad school to get away from this and I'm thinking that's not a bad idea. I don't know if I can handle school for two more years. I stopped school last year.

Life in the Downturn

Name: Jessica Rice

Hometown: Woodinville, Washington

How has the economic downturn affected you: I've started trying to buy gas only once a month and I go out of my way to Costco, where it's 20 cents cheaper. I've also become more aware of my electricity and water use habits. For example, I turn off the shower when I shave my legs. I've also decided to go to grad school after college, instead of trying to find a job right away. The current economic crisis is an incentive to bring to all of our minds the necessity of being cognizant of what we spend, not only financially but also in the price tag at the expense of Mother Earth. 

Life in the Downturn

Name: Stephanie Wessels

Hometown: Los Gatos, CA

How has the economic downturn affected you: I'm now more conscious of how I'm spending money, as well as how I'm saving it. But I'm not sure if this is a direct effect of the economy or simply because this is the first time that I am living by myself, away from the Santa Clara campus.