Fort Worth is a hot spot for jobs in 2008, according to Forbes magazine. And with a TCU degree, chances of finding a job in the area are high, said a Career Services professional.

Ann Reynolds, director of University Career Services, said she agrees with Forbes that Fort Worth is an ideal place for people to find work.

“Fort Worth still has a small town flavor, which is important to companies,” Reynolds said.

Fort Worth is ranked No. 5 in the nation and four other Texas cities are in the top 20 of the Forbes list. Austin ranks No. 3, Houston is No. 7, San Antonio is No. 11 and Dallas came in at No. 18.

The magazine said five qualifications were considered to make the list, including the state’s unemployment rate, job growth, income growth, median household income and cost of living.

According to Forbes, the largest 100 metropolitan areas were studied, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and Moody’s Economy.com.

Reynolds said having a TCU education increases students’ chances of being selected for a job.

“When a person is hired from TCU, the company knows they are getting top-notch quality,” she said.

The problem most people have when trying to find a job in the area is that they do not know how to market themselves, Reynolds said. She said she encourages students to get familiar with University Career Services early and have a resume ready by their sophomore or junior year.

Justin Zavala, a senior psychosocial kinesiology major, said job searching should not be difficult in the area.

“Most people probably won’t have trouble finding a job, but have trouble finding a job they like,” he said.

Fraser Ringel, a senior mechanical engineering major, said he has been thinking about looking for a job since his junior year.

“My teachers became mentors,” he said. “I went to my teachers to see if they knew of any job opportunities. I have had two really good internships which have helped, too.”

Marla McClung, a senior music education major, said she has already received two job offers from teachers she student-teaches for in Fort Worth.

“Everyone I know has been offered jobs through internships,” she said. “It’s all about networking and who you know.”

Reynolds said there is not one particular profession that is most favorable in Fort Worth.

“This is an extremely diverse area,” she said. “There are places looking for all different backgrounds.”