Graduating ASU students heading into the real world might have a difficult time finding a job. However, when they do, their salaries are expected be higher than average.
MonsterTrak, a division of Monster Worldwide Inc., released its annual nationwide survey of college students, recent graduates and entry-level employers last week. This year's study showed that one-third of employers planning to hire 2008 graduates will increase entry-level salaries by 1 to 5 percent.
This year, 59 percent of surveyed employers said they expected to hire 2008 college graduates. Last year, 76 percent of employers said they expected to hire 2007 graduates.
But Elaine Stover, associate director of career services at ASU, said career services hasn't seen a drop in the amount of employers looking to hire students.
Stover added that she has not yet looked over the statistics from December of the students who have accepted entry-level positions in the job market.
"On a national level, [studies] are predicting a 3 to 5 percent increase in the dollar amount of last year's graduates," Stover said. "There are always going to be differences in the demand of certain jobs, just like there is a difference in the supply of jobs."
Stover said the career services office still receives a lot of inquiries from employers looking for graduates to work in insurance sales, education and technical careers.
There is also still a demand for students with backgrounds in business-related areas, like marketing, Stover said.
Gerry Keim, associate dean of the W. P. Carey master's of business administration program, said salaries for graduates who are entering into the workforce have increased 20 percent in the last year.
"Last year, our salaries went up significantly," Keim said. "This year, we haven't seen too much of a slowdown either. Our students seem to be doing quite well in the job market and the salaries are up."
Stover said students who are being hired could be receiving higher salaries because they are able to perform multiple duties.
"People who are flexible in their job are more in demand," Stover said. "I don't think there are too many jobs anymore where you do one thing. It doesn't exist anymore. You have to be able to wear multiple hats."
Reach the reporter at: ryan.calhoun@asu.edu.
