In the past year, 144,000 more discouraged workers abandoned their job searches, according to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Statistics released Friday indicated that there were 474,000 discouraged workers in March, up from 330,000 one year ago. The Department defined “discouraged workers” as individuals not looking for jobs specifically because they felt there were no jobs available for them. The unemployment rate remained the same, however.

Leslie Kohlberg, associate director of Letters and Science/Human Ecology Career Services, said students should not be discouraged by the dismal job prospects. She said the most important thing students could do to increase their chances of landing a job is to network contacts and get a foot in the door.

“Try to establish a focus and direction, rather than blanket the nation with resumes,” Kohlberg said. “It’s tempting to be a nervous wreck, but students should stay motivated and realize that things come in steps and it’s not a package deal — you only need one yes.”

She discouraged students from applying to graduate school right after graduation.

“Students are usually just that much more in debt and just as confused,” Kohlberg said. “Then the situation is just more intensified, and students will be two to three years behind in experience.”

Catharine Gartelos of the UW Graduate Student Council said there has been a “significant increase” in the number of graduate-school applications, spiking the competition for spots. She said the increase in applications and the decrease in school funding are hurting students’ chances for teaching-assistant spots as well.

“Based on my personal experience, I would encourage recent undergrad students to seek other options right now,” Gartelos said.

Kohlberg said students who zero in specifically on their desired occupation and location would have an easier time finding employment. She suggested that students move to their desired region of the United States and take a couple of part-time jobs to buy time and help them meet contacts within their field.

“The people who are getting jobs right now are following up on applications and flexible with location and pay,” Kohlberg said.

She said the most jobs available in today’s market are in the federal government, biotechnology and medical fields. She said students should not be discouraged because baby boomers working now will retire within five to 10 years, leaving a vacuum for today’s smaller generation to fill.

According the Department of Labor, the proportion of workers 16 and older is the lowest in nearly a decade. The number of available jobs in the United States fell by 357,000 in February and by 108,000 in March. The drop occurred in part to unfilled vacancies left by military personnel called to Iraq, however. The unemployment rate remained constant at 5.8 percent.

Employment in finance and the construction industry were the only trades that increased the number of employed individuals in March, while wholesale trade and service employment held steady. All other categories of employment decreased their number of job openings or current positions.