Employment is on the rise in Watauga County, according to July statistics from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.

In N.C., 86 counties saw a drop in unemployment rates as of Aug. 27, including Watauga County with a decrease from 7.6 to 7.4 percent.

The state’s unemployment is currently at 9.8 percent, slightly higher than the national rate of 9.7 percent.

Although numbers have dropped, Al Zahler, an employment consultant with the Employment Security Commission in Boone, has not seen much change.

“Our traffic is about the same,” Zahler said. “A lot of people have reached the end of their benefits [and] extensions.”

Even with an approximate 1,768 people out of work in Watauga County, other counties harboring metropolitan cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh, face more harrowing numbers.

The unemployment rate in Mecklenburg County is at 10.7 percent, leaving 49,075 workers unemployed as of July.

Wake County also boasts a higher rate than Watauga County at 8 percent.

Both Mecklenburg and Wake counties were part of the 86 counties with decreased rates, but still maintain higher unemployment rates than Watauga.

“I know I would love to stay in the [Boone] area,” said Kate E. Sherrill, a freshman music therapy major. “But of course there is the benefit of moving to larger cities.”

Many Appalachian State University students have very specific degrees and skill sets that would be more beneficial in larger cities, Zahler said.

Sharon C. Jensen, assistant director of the Career Development Center, recommends expanding job searches to new areas.

“Most [Appalachian] students do seek employment in N.C. Students will increase their marketability by expanding their job search to other geographic areas,” Jensen said. “In this economy, it is wise to go where one finds a job.”

Both Zahler and Jensen agree the greatest advice for job seekers is to take advantage of local employment resources.

“Soak up as much of the career center’s knowledge while you are [at Appalachian] and speak with your career counselor to develop a search plan,” Jensen said. “Devote the time to your search as if it were a job in itself.”

For more information or employment assistance, contact office manager Anita Lowe with the Employment Security Commission in Boone at 265-5385 or contact Appalachian’s Career Development Center at 262-2180.

Story: BARBARA ADAMS, News Reporter