Things Looking Up For Class Of 2012

More positive news about the job market – employers are hiring more recent graduates and offering higher salaries this year than in past years. Employers expect to higher 10% more graduates this year than from the Class of 2011. The median salary offer is estimated to be $42,569, an increase of 4.5% from last year.

The majors in highest demand are, in order, engineering, business, accounting, computer science, and economics. These majors are also the highest paid this year; with each being offered annual salaries that average in excess of $40,000. Engineering majors are being offered the highest salaries; $58,581 on average. Other fields are seeing better outcomes as well; the average salary offers in education and communications increased by 4-4.5%.

Surveyed Job Offers For Recent Graduates (NACE)

This report really shows that the job market is improving. With high sustained unemployment, companies have often been able to hire experienced workers for similar pay as recent graduates. The increase in hiring of recent graduates shows the pool of unemployed workers is shrinking, or at least workers with the skills these employers are seeking. As the picture improves for graduates this year, those of us who will still be in school can expect an even better market in the next few years.

Landon J. Latham

Career Educator

How Much Should You Be Paid?

Knowing how much you should paid is a sensitive topic. Salary should be based on a variety of factors. For most graduating college students, the two main factors in determining starting salary should be job title and location. Fortunately, resources are available to help you determine salary based on these factors.

Salary Calculator – Use city search to determine specific salary estimates. Here are a couple of examples:

Teacher – Statesboro, GA: $36,017

Teacher – New York, NY: $74,463

Registered Nurse – Statesboro, GA: $58,692

Registered Nurse – New York, NY: $84,538

Beyond knowing how much you should be paid, understanding cost of living can help you decide what jobs you will apply for and even where you apply. This cost of living calculator can provide insight into what salary is required to maintain an equal standard of living in different places.

For example, if you’re a teacher in Statesboro making $36,017, the salary required to maintain an equal standard of living in New York City would be $86,490. Considering the average teacher salary in New York is $74,463, your standard of living will most likely be higher in Statesboro than in New York. If you’re unsure of where you want to work, analyzing differences in average salaries and the cost of living can help you decide.

Landon J. Latham

Career Educator

How to Beat Entry-level Boredom

CareerRookie Magazine is a publication that is primarily aimed at students. I really enjoy exploring and reading the magazine because it provides information about various topics in the career arena. As I was recently reading the magazine, I ran across an article that explains ways to combat the boredom that may occur when working on an entry-level job. Most college students will enter the workforce via an entry-level job or internship that requires low levels of responsibility and may certainly come across as boring work. The article mentions that “one of the most common complaints we hear from young professionals is that they are bored out of their minds”. Considering that most entry-level positions are composed of lowly tasks, I could certainly see how this statement could be true.  The article also discusses that much of the “entry-level boredom” could be a result of students being so enthused about finally pursuing a career and graduating from college that when they touch down at their entry-level desk, in an entry-level setting, with typical entry-level pay, they are more than slightly disappointed. A typical complaint stated in the article heard from young professionals is, “I expect work to be fairly boring, it’s work. But it really chafes my bum to think about all the things I could be doing instead of sitting here, praying that something will need to be typed”.  As unfortunate as this statement may sound, many entry-level employees are feeling acrimony. Here are some tips for battling boredom:

1.       Write down a list of things that you would like to get done before you leave work and put it in a place that you would see it, such as on your computer monitor.

2.       Be honest with your supervisor and ask for more work.

3.       Set up a meeting with a co-worker or supervisor about a project that the organization is working on and express your interest. Let them know that you are interested in becoming more involved.

SShayla Frinks

Career Educator