NewsLink

	E-Mail This Article Printer-Friendly Version

Top Employers of Class of 2008

Engineering services and accounting firms are forecasted to be among the top employers showing interest in the class of 2008 college graduates, say findings of the Winter 2008 issue of Salary Survey, a quarterly report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Consulting, financial services, retail, and petroleum products companies are also expressing a great deal of interest in these graduates notes NACE executive director, Marilyn Mackes. And in many cases, these employers are offering substantial starting salaries to their new college graduate hires. “For example, the average yearly salary offer from petroleum manufacturers is more than $59,000, and engineering firms are extending an average offer that exceeds $56,000,” says Mackes. Not surprisingly, engineering services employers are showing the most interest in graduates with engineering degrees, notably mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering, as well as those with computer science degrees. While these disciplines are highly sought after, top employers are expressing interest in graduates in a variety of other disciplines also. “Consulting employers and retailers both made offers to a wide range of graduates,” says Mackes. “In many cases, their opportunities are not dependent on a specific degree. For example, retailers showed most interest in business-related degrees, but also made offers to graduates with degrees in liberal arts and science.”