The Bottom Line: Employers weigh in on degrees, salaries, and overall job outlook
Cap and gown season is upon us. As new college graduates prepare to embark on job searches, employers are chiming in on the importance of college degrees and what it is they look for in job candidates.
According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, 74% of employers say they do in fact plan on hiring recent college graduates this year. That number is up from 67% last year and it’s the highest outlook for grads since 2007.
The outlook on starting salaries looks good as well. Overall, 50% of employers say they plan on offering recent college graduates a higher salary than they did last year, while 39% go on to say that they will offer a starting salary of $50,000 or more.
The survey also reveals the most sought after majors for college grads:
Business – 30 percent Engineering – 26 percent Computer and Information Sciences – 23 percent Engineering Technologies – 16 percent Communications Technologies – 13 percent Math and Statistics – 11 percent Construction Trades – 11 percent Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences – 10 percent Science Technologies – 9 percent Architecture and Planning – 8 percent
Source: Chicago Business Journal
Thought Starters…
Who has the biggest discrepancy between what they wanted to do for a living as a kid, what they studied in college, and what they actually ended up doing for a career? How much of your degree is actually applicable? What is the strangest or most unique college degee (or course) you ever took? What is the most creative thing you have done to persuade an employer to hire you?