Employers eager to put 2015 grads to work

For those with business, computer science and engineering-related degrees, prospects are particularly bright. Nearly one in four said they were looking for those with degrees in business, while 30 percent are after those with engineering backgrounds and 27 percent seek new computer and information science graduates.

“New college graduates have better prospects this year than in years past — both in terms of opportunities and salary offers,” said Rosemary Haefner, Chief Human Resources Officer of CareerBuilder. “They still face challenges, however. One in five employers feel colleges do not adequately prepare students with crucial workplace competencies, including soft skills and real-world experience that might be gained through things like internships. Job seekers with a good mix of both technical and soft skills will have the best prospects right out of college.”

Let’s take a look at who is in demand:

• Business grads: 38 percent

• Engineering/engineering technologies: 30 percent

• Computer and information sciences: 27 percent

• Math and statistics: 14 percent

• Health professions and related clinical sciences: 14 percent

• Communications technologies: 12 percent

• Communication and journalism: 10 percent

• Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities: 9 percent

• Science technologies: 8 percent

• Education: 7 percent

By type of job, as compared to one’s college degree, CareerBuilder says employers want to fill positions in information technology (30 percent), customer service jobs (28 percent), finance/accounting (22 percent), sales (21 percent) and business development (19 percent).