Soon-to-be graduates and even non-seniors have reason to be excited about finishing school.
For the second straight season, surveys by the National Association of Colleges and Employers are expecting graduate hires to increase by more than 10 percent, much to the delight of college upperclassmen.
Of the 199 employers that responded to the Job Outlook 2005 Fall Preview survey, 61 percent said they expect to hire more new college graduates in 2004-05 to a tune of 13.1 percent.
"This is a good indication that the job market for new college graduates is back on track," said Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, in a prepared statement." In Fall 2003, employers also projected an increase in college hiring, after a few years of cutbacks. The current survey\'s positive projections reinforce that college hiring is headed in the right direction."
The previous Job Outlook survey, which expected an increase in hires by 11.2 percent, was pushed by a strengthening economy and this survey seems to be no different.
"I think everyone was still kind of scared of something happening that would affect the economy," said Quendolyn Brown, junior pre-med major.
Among those who predict hiring increases, retirement of workers and the increased demand for good and services were atop the list.
"We expect things to continue for the next year or two," said Karen S. Hayes, director of career and employment services. "We're on an uphill cycle for the next year."
Hayes insists technical jobs are doing especially well and is seeing a significant growth in job opportunities.
"Lately you can have a degree and not be able to utilize it," said Miranda Dethrow, a junior elementary education major.
Many hope times have changed.
"Although the news is positive for new college graduates, it is important to recognize that the job market remains competitive," said Mackes. "Students who will be graduating in 2004-05 need to start now to find employers and opportunities, and should avail themselves of the resources and expert advice they will find in their campus career center."
However, southern employers only expect to increase hiring by 5.9 percent compared to 14.9 percent increases in the northeast and west regions.
