12/6/98
MSU SURVEY: EMPLOYERS WANT STUDENTS WITH 'TOTAL PACKAGE'
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The market for new college graduates this year is holding at a very robust hiring rate, according to the 28th annual Recruiting Trends survey conducted by Career Services and Placement at Michigan State University.
"In fact, every college graduate who is computer literate or possesses advanced technical skills and who actively seeks employment should find a job," says Phil Gardner, director of research at Career Services and Placement and author of this year's study. "Employers are hiring at the same levels as last year, which is good news for students."
Graduates who are well prepared and have a total package of skills will be able to find employment in this market, he says.
"Employers are looking for students who can come into the job and be able to demonstrate critical thinking and related skills immediately. Employers are demanding the 'total package' be delivered at graduation," Gardner said.
This "package" includes computer and technical skills related to the position they seek, excellent written and communication skills, leadership capabilities and a set of personal traits, including willingness to work, dependability, maturity, honesty, initiative and being able to work as part of a team.
Employers also are hiring students who have had a variety of learning experiences outside the classroom, including leadership development, internships, cooperative learning experiences and summer employment related to their careers.
"The college experience, both inside and outside the classroom, is critical in the development of a student's total package of academic and work experiences," Gardner says. "The total college experience will pay off in the long run as far as starting salaries and other company remunerations."
Starting salaries for new college graduates this year will run an average of 3 to 5 percent higher than last year, depending on the major, he says.
Engineering and computer science are among the "hot fields," but students in all majors, including the liberal arts, who have technical competencies will find that starting salaries will be higher than in years past, according to the survey.
Positive factors affecting this year's job market include the expansion and growth of businesses through restructuring and mergers, increased sales, a strong national economy, low interest rates, competition for new hires, new skill set requirements and turnovers and retirements, according to the survey.
Retail and service sectors are carrying the market by making significant hiring gains this year, while manufacturing, transportation, public utilities and government employers are cutting back in their hiring.
"Companies under 20,000 will hire more graduates at rates between 10 and 18 percent above last year, which offsets a decline in hiring among the largest firms of nearly 9 percent," Gardner says.
There is a fierce competition among employers in terms of recruiting and training programs and college recruiters are hiring earlier and at a generally faster pace than in years past, he says.
"This report supports the value of a college education," says Vernicka Tyson, director of Career Services and Placement. "Colleges are instrumental in developing this total package of skills that employers are looking for in college graduates today."
A total of 327 businesses, industries, manufacturing organizations, government agencies, military and service sector employees responded to the survey.
For more information or to receive a copy of the 28th annual survey, "Recruiting Trends 1998-99," call Gardner at (517) 355-2211 or 339-2537; Vernicka Tyson, 355-9510, Ext. 129, or 337-4469; or Kristin Anderson, Media Communications, 355-2281 [email protected].
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