2008 Woodie Awards
How much will you make?
Joshua Espinoza
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: News
After graduation is over, many students will be preparing to step into the work force and exchange their hard-earned degrees for paychecks. But one concern that plagues some graduates is the exchange rate.
For some college graduates, the prospect of a lucrative entry-level income is highly probable, while others might have to endure the Ramen Noodle diet for a little longer.
According to a survey conducted by www.CBSalary.com in conjunction with Salary Expert, the degrees receiving the highest starting salaries for 2008 include engineering, computer programming and mathematics. Those who majored in liberal arts and social sciences will receive lower starting salaries.
"A lot of it has to do with the demand for skilled labor," said Sarah Trzeciak, the assistant director at the University of Northern Colorado's Career Services. "For example, the nursing shortage has caused hospitals to raise wages in order to keep people in. There are also those careers that will always be in high demand, like business. Even though the economy is slowing, it is still in demand and will pay well because business is what drives our economy."
Terran Johnson, a graduating senior majoring in nursing, said her biggest concern when deciding to pursue a degree in nursing was a mixture of interest and practicality.
"Nursing and the entire health care industry is something that I've always admired," Johnson said. "But beyond that, there's just a lot of job security with nursing. Opportunities are becoming more and more broad."
Though the prospect of high starting salaries won't be as likely for some students as it will be for others, the overall news for upcoming graduates is good. In September 2007, a study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers estimated that employer hiring would increase nationally by 16 percent in 2008, but after a revision done in February, they concluded the increase would only be by 8 percent.
Trzeciak reassures that despite the decrease in the original percentage, the future for college graduates still looks promising.
For some college graduates, the prospect of a lucrative entry-level income is highly probable, while others might have to endure the Ramen Noodle diet for a little longer.
According to a survey conducted by www.CBSalary.com in conjunction with Salary Expert, the degrees receiving the highest starting salaries for 2008 include engineering, computer programming and mathematics. Those who majored in liberal arts and social sciences will receive lower starting salaries.
"A lot of it has to do with the demand for skilled labor," said Sarah Trzeciak, the assistant director at the University of Northern Colorado's Career Services. "For example, the nursing shortage has caused hospitals to raise wages in order to keep people in. There are also those careers that will always be in high demand, like business. Even though the economy is slowing, it is still in demand and will pay well because business is what drives our economy."
Terran Johnson, a graduating senior majoring in nursing, said her biggest concern when deciding to pursue a degree in nursing was a mixture of interest and practicality.
"Nursing and the entire health care industry is something that I've always admired," Johnson said. "But beyond that, there's just a lot of job security with nursing. Opportunities are becoming more and more broad."
Though the prospect of high starting salaries won't be as likely for some students as it will be for others, the overall news for upcoming graduates is good. In September 2007, a study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers estimated that employer hiring would increase nationally by 16 percent in 2008, but after a revision done in February, they concluded the increase would only be by 8 percent.
Trzeciak reassures that despite the decrease in the original percentage, the future for college graduates still looks promising.
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