Regional Job Decline Raises Questions for Marist Students

A new state report shows employment gains across much of the Hudson Valley, but the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan area saw a decline, raising questions for students entering the workforce. 

Private-sector employment rose across much of the Hudson Valley, while the metropolitan area that includes Poughkeepsie recorded a decline.

For many college students, finding a job or internship close to campus can be just as important as finding one related to their major or minor. For Marist University students searching near campus, regional employment figures offer context for their search.

A recent report from the New York State Department of Labor found that private-sector employment in the Hudson Valley increased by 1.7% from August 2025 to August 2026. The region added approximately 14,000 jobs, bringing the total to 859,900, the highest employment count on record for the month of August. 

However, this growth has not been evenly distributed across the region. The Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan statistical area was the only area in the region to experience a decline, falling 0.7% over the same period. This figure covers the metropolitan area rather than Dutchess County alone and measures private-sector job counts, not available jobs or internships. 

For many college students preparing to enter the workforce, the numbers raise an important question: does the decline mean fewer opportunities for students looking for local jobs and internships?

For Marist student Sophia Santoro ‘27, finding a job close to campus has meant sending out applications, waiting for responses and widening the search beyond Dutchess County.

“I know a lot of students who commute outside the area for work because they can’t find something nearby,” Santoro said. 

There are a number of ways for students to strengthen their job applications. These include using Handshake for career networking opportunities that aren’t available to non-college students, strengthening resumes, updating LinkedIn profiles, attending industry-specific networking events on campus to meet alumni and tailoring every application specifically to the job you are going out for. Career services, located on the first floor of the Dyson Center, also specializes in helping students break into the job market. 

Marist offers a multitude of tools to help students stand out from competitors. For students applying in Dutchess County, the search may still extend beyond the county line, as Santoro’s experience suggests.