The strongest sectors are manufacturing, financial services, construction, and professional and technical services. The food and lodging sector will be seeking a large number of graduates this year. The agricultural sector appears to be the weakest area nationally. The only trouble spot was the Pacific Northwest. Employers who hire liberal arts graduates are expecting to hire substantially more this year.
Employers hope to keep salary increases as close to the inflation rate as possible.
Some areas can expect more modest increases. Employers realize that they may have to increase salaries above this level to attract the candidates they want. Emerging skills and aptitudes include understanding e-commerce, addition of programming language to computer aptitudes, complex thinking skills, and ability to adapt to constant change. Overall, this year s college labor market will continue at the same feverish pace that was experienced last year. However, employers are cautious and expressed concern about a slowdown in the economy next spring.