Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 6, 1993 TAG: 9312060052
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LANSING, MICH. LENGTH: Medium
Patrick Scheetz, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, said employers expect to hire 1.1 percent more college graduates this school year than a year ago.
"I think that will send a message of a bit of optimism throughout the country," he said. "We've had four years of down, down, down. Students have had the attitude, `Why go to the placement office? There's no jobs over there.' Well, there are jobs."
Scheetz said the 1.1 percent increase followed declines in hiring ranging from 2.1 percent last year to 13.3 percent in 1989-90. The four-year downturn was the longest recorded in the 23 years the survey has been taken.
"At least that's the sign of a turnaround, but we have to temper that message with the fact that we've dug ourselves a hole," he said.
"We've lost many jobs previously held by new college graduates and it will take us quite a while to regain those jobs, if we ever do."
The small increase showed employers realize they need to bring in new blood, but are cautious about the economy, he said.
The institute, based at Michigan State University, surveyed 618 employers about their hiring intentions. The report is to be released today.
Scheetz found demand fairly even across the country, but slightly higher in the north-central states and the Southeast.
Chemical engineers, electrical engineers, chemistry majors and graduates with master's degrees in business administration were most sought-after. Minorities and women in technical and business fields also were in demand.
Starting salaries are up from 0.4 percent to 1.6 percent compared with last year. The $40,341 average starting salary for chemical engineers was tops. Journalists' average beginning wage of $20,587 was lowest.
by CNB