Tucson News NowDow briefly tops 13,000

The Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly crossed the 13,000 mark Tuesday.

It was the first time since May of 2008.

At the end of the day, the Dow closed up about 16 points from Monday at 12,965.69.

In the real world of the average American worker what does it really mean?

It's hard to get more "real world" than at a job fair.

We went to a job and education fair in Tucson that focused on social work and counseling.

We asked about the significance of the 13,000 mark on the lives of job seekers there.

"I'm more focused on educational options and career change," said Erica Eswine.

"You know, being able to get a job when I graduate. That's the reason I'm here," said Teri Freitas.

At the job fair, there was a perception that a 13,000 Dow might mean some hope in the overall economy.

"We're hoping that we'll also start seeing it on Main Street, which is where most of us are," said Josefina Ahumada, Arizona State University School of Social Work Field Education Coordinator.

Perception is everything on Wall Street.

Analysts say the 13,000 mark is more a psychological milepost than anything else.

However, it could move investors to pump more of their money back into the market.

"So the fear mode, the panic mode is perhaps, let's just say, leveled off to a point where, well, maybe it's time to go back in because from here on out, maybe we'll have some more stability. So it really is just a feel good thing," said Tucson Investment Planners President Dan Guare.

Guare says don't expect the milestone to directly affect jobs.

"You have to understand the disconnect between the Dow--let's just say the stock market--and the economy. There's a big disconnect," he said. "Now when you talk about jobs, of course, that's our economy. Stock market and jobs? Really no effect at all. But the economy and jobs? Yes."

And that's where perception becomes important too.

A perception of stability leads to confidence.

Consumers start to buy again.

Businesses start to hire again.

"Confidence is everything," Guare said. "If 70% of our economy is based on what we buy--if consumers start to buy again, that means everything will rise. So that's our hope."

That means jobs.

At the Sixth Annual HOPE (Helping Occupations & Professions Expo) Expo jobs and education fair it seems the stock market milestone wasn't needed for some to feel optimistic.

"It seems this year that there's more jobs being announced and recruited for," Ahumada said.

She said there has been a slow, but steady uptick in jobs available.

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