New graduates with degrees in business- or technical-related fields are most likely to have a job to go to following graduation, according to a new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE’s 2010 Student Survey shows that accounting, business administration, computer science, engineering, and mathematics majors were more likely to get—and accept—job offers than other types of grads.
“These graduates were also more likely to have actually applied for a job, according to the survey's results,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
While more than two-thirds of responding seniors said they plan to work after college, overall just 45.5 percent had applied for a job at the time the survey was conducted. In comparison, 58.6 percent of the top five majors with jobs had done so.
Overall, the survey found that 24.4 percent of graduates who had applied for a job had one to go to following graduation, an improvement over last year at this time when just 19.7 percent could make that claim.
Despite the improvement in the job market, Class of 2010 graduates show a greater propensity to opt for graduate or professional school after graduation than their 2009 counterparts.This year, 27.4 percent of responding seniors reported plans to go on for additional education, up from 25.6 percent last year.
NACE expects to release additional highlights from the 2010 Student Survey throughout the month. A final report on the study’s finding will be available later this year.
About NACE’s 2010 Student Survey: NACE polls students about their job search, career plans, and other issues related to employment on an annual basis. The 2010 Student Survey was conducted February 9, 2010, through April 30, 2010. More than 31,470 students representing more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide took part; more than 13,000 of those were graduating seniors. Information in this release is based on data gathered from graduating senior respondents.