June 9, 2011

Improved Job Prospects For Recent College Graduates

As the New York Times reported in late May, hiring of recent college graduates is up five percent from last spring—encouraging news for UW students graduating in a few days’ time. The Seattle Times confirmed that this trend is followed in Washington State as well, with the unemployment rate falling from 9.2 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May. Seniors seem more confident and optimistic as local companies like Amazon and Boeing announce their intent to hire more professionals, particularly in the science and technology fields.

Unfortunately, the impact of the recession is still felt by many looking for jobs. Less than a third of college graduates have jobs lined up before graduation, and only 70 percent find one within six months. Some college graduates are forced to take jobs unrelated to their degree, and many—according to the New York  Times, close to 49 percent—take jobs that do not require degrees at all, which edges out high school graduates and teenagers looking for work. Finally, median salaries for college graduates have decreased from $30,000 in 2006/7 to $27,000 in 2009/10.

According to graduates the New York Times and the Seattle Times interviewed, the best way to land a job in tough economic times is networking—most seniors with jobs lined up after graduation had found the position through an acquaintance or college job fair. Many students indicated they wished their schools had done more to prepare them for job hunting.

To see what the UW is doing to help students find jobs in the current economy, check out the UW Career Center website, which offers a wealth of job-related information and services, including résumé building, networking opportunities, career fairs, and mock interviews. For more detailed information on official unemployment statistics, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.