The stock market has been seeing a lot more downs then ups lately.

According to The Associated Press, the Dow Jones went below 7,000 points Monday, the largest fall it has seen in almost 11 years. Investors are currently scared the Dow Jones will not be able to bounce back from this huge dip.

Finance professor Robert Miller said the stock market affects almost everybody both directly and indirectly.

“People whose retirement funds are tied to the stock market are affected greatly,” he said. “The values of retirement accounts, including 401(k) plans, are going down, causing people to have to postpone their retirement.”

Miller said this requires those who can’t retire to work later in life.

Andrew Bykerk, a physical education graduate student, said he knows a few people who have been greatly affected by the stock market.

“I know people first-hand who have to work longer because their 401(k) is shrinking, forcing them to put a hold on retiring,” Bykerk said.

Miller said the stock market also affects those who are not invested in the stock market.

“Prices have plummeted, causing companies that need capital to lose capital,” he said. “These companies then are not able to employ as much, making it harder for people to find a job.”

Miller said if the stock market continues on the path it is currently on, things will only get worse.

“There will be larger unemployment, and the recession would last even longer,” he said.

Senior engineering major Steven Klamkowski said the stock market’s current state shows “how scared people are and their lack of confidence in the economy.”

Miller said the stock market could bounce back “if there’s a belief the economy will eventually turn around and grow again.”

Klamkowski agrees with Miller’s views.

“We need to build ourselves up and see what we can do to turn things around,” Klamkowski said.