The Bureau of Labor Statistics released February’s dismal labor statistics March 6. In that one month, Americans lost 651,000 jobs. And that’s on top of the 655,000 jobs lost in January and the 681,000 lost in December. That brings the total unemployment rate to 8.1 percent.It’s true that the numbers are dismal. And dismal numbers make dismal job searches.Carol Schroeder, director of the University Career Center, described the problems with the job market as “severe,” but she said finding jobs or internships is still possible, and even “reasonably likely” for applicants who are well prepared.But not all applicants are. Schroeder said using the Career Center’s services is the easiest way to improve job search materials, but that not many students have been coming in.”I’m a little puzzled that we’re not seeing more students,” she said. “My concern is perhaps that the news is so negative that they don’t see a benefit in actually taking action.”Faran Dulberg, a junior in communication, said she has used the center and that “it is very helpful,” but is still having trouble finding an internship.”I’ve been looking for an internship since … January,” she said.Dulberg got to the second round of interviews for an internship with the government, but was not offered the position.It may seem like internships would be easy to come by during a recession, since most of them are unpaid. But Schroeder said that isn’t necessarily true.”You have to have something that needs to be done and if your business is in trouble you don’t have interns,” she said. For some fields, that certainly seems to be the case. E-Pack, the Career Center’s job and internship portal, listed fewer internships during the spring semester than last year for several colleges. The job market is not doing well either. Tim Lipka, a senior in political science, has been looking for a job since August, and has yet to hear a positive response.”I’m not going to have a job when I graduate,” he said.Lipka has been searching for positions with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but, since he has had no luck, he is expanding his search to other parts of the government.Schroeder said being flexible like Lipka is a must during these tough times. Not every job searcher will get his or her preferred position.”That’s the reality — what’s available, not what you’re passionate about,” she said.Arnold Bell, director of the Cooperative Education Program, said co-op students are having to be flexible as well.”The number of opportunities are shrinking,” he said. “Students may have to be flexible about accepting positions in other locations.”Some companies have informed the co-op office that they will no longer accept co-op students. Bell said several areas are being affected by fewer offerings, but the golf industry was one of the worst. Co-ops are mandatory for graduation with a degree in professional golf management, and the lack of positions could prevent some students from graduating on time, according to  Bell.Bell said the program is even seeing some layoffs due to the economy.But both Bell and Schroeder said students shouldn’t give up.”It is a severe situation, but that doesn’t mean you give up,” Schroeder said.Robert Craft, a senior in business administration, hasn’t yet, and he may be close to benefitting. Despite being frustrated by the dirth of full time job opportunities available in the business world, Craft is less than a week away from an interview with John Hancock. Schroeder said those who haven’t had a job or internship opportunity yet should stay persistent and positive.”Panicking and doomsaying are not helpful,” she said. “This [situation] is not new. Students need to understand that they will hear more ‘nos’ than ‘yeses.'”Lipka may only be hearing ‘nos’ right now, but he has a backup plan in case May comes with no job offers.”I would go home and work at my dad’s engineering firm,” he said. “I have a backup plan, but I don’t want to use it!”