MIAMI (CBS4) – College graduates who are searching for jobs in South Florida say it’s a real struggle. The most recent numbers show the unemployment rate at 10.8 percent across the state.

In fact Miami-Dade County has the second highest unemployment in Florida.

This time of year thousands of college seniors are graduating from South Florida universities, and the hope of landing that first dream job is fading away for many.

“Jobs are super hard to get now so it makes it very difficult,” said Tiffany Le who is a senior at Florida International University.

Le is among a group of swiftly growing seniors who have decided to attend graduate school because the job out look is so grim.

“We are seeing that our students are really struggling to find employment,” said Yisell Cirion who works in the Career Services Center at FIU.

In addition Florida International University says they’ve seen a significant reduction in companies and organizations looking to hire their students.

“It’s difficult to find a job right now, said senior James Camps-Sotiresco.  “But I’m out there trying my hardest.”

Last summer Camps-Sotiresco, a construction-management major, decided to intern with Build America for some on the job training.

“I gained knowledge I didn’t know before,” said Camps-Sotiresco.

According to Cirion who helps students with job placement at FIU, extra training, volunteer work and meeting people in your industry can set you ahead of the rest.

Cirion recommends student visit the career service center at their university.