Graduating seniors are facing an improving job market as the June 14 commencement ceremony approaches.
More employers are posting job offers and hiring compared to last year, which is good news for seniors graduating this spring.
Employers expect to hire 5 percent more graduates from the class of 2010 than the class of 2009, according to a survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Meanwhile, according to a survey from Career Builder, 44 percent of employers intend to hire recent college graduates. In 2009, the survey projected 43 percent of employers hiring college graduates; however, Career Builder noted that before the recession hit the economy, 79 percent of employers in 2007 expected to hire recent college graduates.
Career Builder’s survey also projected that 16 percent of employers will also offer higher starting salaries than in 2009.
At the University, the number of employers attending the Spring Career Fair increased compared to last year. This spring, about 75 employers attended; in 2009, there were 50.
The number of job postings on the University’s Career Center’s Web site and in general increased this year compared with last year.
“It’s nice to see there are more postings out there,” Lundquist College of Business Director of Career Services James Chang said. “It’s just one way for college students to get out there.”
The job postings might have increased, but not all students have a job lined up for after graduation. According to the NACE survey, almost one third of graduates from some state colleges are still looking for a job.
University career counselors said if University graduates do not have a job after graduation, they can continue searching and expanding their network. There are other opportunities out there that might not be a student’s dream career but jobs that are practical steps toward a bigger long-term picture. Internships, entry-level positions and programs like AmeriCorps are other opportunities.
“Don’t necessarily look at entry-level positions as steps down, but as a way to get experience,” Rick Guerra, associate director at the University Career Center, said. “Explore as many alternatives and opportunities as possible.”
Career counselors also advise that students should not hesitate to relocate in order to have a job.
“If students are willing to relocate for their first job, they’re more likely to get something,” journalism academic advisor Bil Morrill said.
The field of study students choose in college can affect whether they have a job lined up after graduation. New graduates with business or technical-related degrees are most likely to have a job to go to after graduation, according to the NACE survey. Accounting, business administration, computer science, engineering and mathematics graduates are more likely to get job offers than other graduates.
Counselors also said not all career fields post their job opportunities. Certain industries, such as entertainment, communication and marketing are less likely to advertise jobs because so many people want to work in that field.
“Those industries are all about success being driven by people taking initiatives,” Chang said. “If these employers don’t advertise, they still get people to work for them.”
The job market improved compared with last year, but it is still competitive because graduating seniors are competing against people with more experience, Morrill said.
“Students need to network,” Morrill said. “A job is not going to come looking for you. You need to be proactive, not wait for it to be posted.”
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