Job picture brighter for college grads

POTSDAM — This year's college graduates may be more successful in their job searches than previously expected.

According to preliminary survey results released last week by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies expect to hire 21 percent more new graduates than last year. It seems as if the north country's colleges are seeing similar results, according to university officials.

However, that does not mean that everything is looking rosy for the class of 2011.

"If you look at the job-search websites, they have listed more jobs this time than they did a year ago," SUNY Potsdam Director of Career Planning Karen L. Ham said. "Still, employers are looking at more things and being more selective than they have to be. There are people out there who have been laid off and who have the skills."

The association last fall predicted that hiring would rebound slightly more than 13 percent. More member employers, who are mostly larger private industry, have responded to the survey since then predicting improved numbers. The survey results should be finalized in a few weeks, according to the association's website.

Graduates in health care, engineering, technology and other science fields are expected to be in higher demand.

At Clarkson University, those expectations are holding true; the college has seen approximately 30 more potential employers coming to career fairs and requesting interviews with students, according to Jeffrey D. Taylor, director of the career center.

Last year, the college had approximately 150 companies attend its two fairs. This year, about 180 made the trip to campus.

"From the class of 2010 to the class of 2011, we're seeing an uptick," Mr. Taylor said. "Anecdotally, we've had positive information from students as far as interviews and jobs and acceptance into grad schools."

The college is starting to collect data about students' plans for after graduation, but will not have accurate numbers until later this spring.

Though things are looking good for the scientists and engineers of Clarkson, for the teachers coming out of SUNY Potsdam, the story is very different.

"There are teacher positions, but geographically, New York is really hit bad," Mrs. Ham said. "Students are going to have to be flexible when they are looking."

Every year, the college holds a recruitment fair for teaching positions. This year's turnout is expected to be the lowest the fair has seen in nearly three decades; a mere 30 schools are planning to send representatives, while in good years, there are more than 100.

Mrs. Ham said she is telling her students — regardless of their major — to accept a job even if it is not their dream career, to develop skills that will be transferable when the economy improves.

"Hopefully, they realize they may not be stepping into their dream job; they need to accept positions where they can," she said. "At least it's a positive note, not the poor class of 2009 that was one of the worst years in the last ten."