The job outlook for new college graduates is positive, and employers expect to hire 14.5 percent more new college graduates in 2005-06 than they hired in 2004-05, according to a new national report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

According to employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook 2006 survey, on a national level, graduates with degrees in business, engineering, and computer-related fields have the most promising outlook. At North Iowa Area Community College, employers have expressed the most interest in students with degrees in the agricultural, business, health, public service, industrial technology, and family and human service industries.

Additional highlights from the survey include:

• Nearly 94 percent of responding employers rate the job market for new college graduates as good, very good, or excellent.
  
• A better job market could also mean a bigger paycheck. Three-quarters of responding employers expect to increase their starting salary offers this year. Starting salaries vary depending on the degree, type of employer, and other factors, but on average, employers expect to raise starting salaries to bachelor's degree graduates by 3.7 percent. For more information on starting salaries, contact the Career Center at 422.4353.
  
• Many employers expect to be active on campus this spring: More than half of the employers participating in the Job Outlook 2006 survey said they have firm plans to be on campus this spring to look for new employees. The NIACC Job & Internship Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2007. Students can get a copy of the "Job Outlook 2006-Student Version" from the North Iowa Career Center or online at  www.jobweb.com/joboutlook/.

The North Iowa Career Center also offers the following services to help students prepare for and conduct an effective job search: access to job leads; annual job and internship fair, Wednesday, April 7th; advice on completing applications, writing cover letters, resumes and other correspondence; practice interviewing; and a Job Seeking Skills course (also available online).

Many resources are available online at www.niacc.edu/career_center. Visit the North Iowa Career Center today Activity Center, Room 209.

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About the Job Outlook 2006 survey: NACE's Job Outlook survey is a national forecast of the hiring intentions of employers and examines other issues related to the employment of new college graduates.

The survey was conducted from mid-August through September 30, 2005. The survey was mailed to 1,069 employers that hold membership in NACE. Responses were received from 250 members, a 23.4 percent response rate.

Of those responding, 48.4 percent are service-sector employers, 40.8 percent are manufacturers, and 10.8 percent represent government/nonprofit employers. By region, 33.2 percent of respondents are from the South, 27.2 percent represent organizations in the Midwest, 22.4 percent are from the Northeast, and 17.2 percent are from the West.

NACE plans to issue an update on the job market information for new college graduates in April. Check with the North Iowa Career Center for details.

About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the college job market.