Although many recent grads may be grappling with a tough economy and not-so-promising job market, there is good news after all—a new study shows that when it comes
to job offers, new graduates are outpacing their peers who graduated a year ago.
A study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows more than one quarter—25.5 percent—of 2012 grads who applied for a job have already secured one. The figure is up slightly from last year at this time, when 24 percent of graduates reported having accepted an offer.
The study also shows that this year’s graduating class did better when it comes to overall job offers. This year, 44.2 percent of graduates who applied for jobs reported receiving at least one offer, even if they didn’t take it. Last year at this time, 41.4 percent of graduates had received one.
Still, rate of job offers varies by field. This year, graduates most likely to receive an offer were those graduating with degrees in accounting, engineering, computer science, economics, and business administration. Overall, 50 percent or more of those graduates received a job offer, said Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
Of all seniors taking part in the survey, 52.1 percent said they had actually applied for a job. This is very much below 2011 figures, which showed that 75 percent of graduates had applied for a job by the time of the survey. Yet the 2012 figures are consistent with those from the Class of 2007 through the Class of 2010, when the percentage stayed between 42 and 50 percent.
The survey was conducted between January and April 2012, and nearly 48,000 college students nationwide participated.
Seniors, have you applied for any jobs yet? Do the results of this survey improve your outlook on your job search? Let us know in a comment below!
