New college graduates may find themselves in a position that they never dreamed they would be in – unemployed. At one time college students were told from family and friends that once a diploma is earned, a good job, a great salary, and a financially secure life will follow. Today, roughly 80% of 2010 college grads are moving back home and are competing against the 63% of college grads of 2009 who are still unemployed as well as everyone else who is frantically trying to land employment. Although the economy is a tough one, not all job opportunities, have been crushed by the economic downturn. The following entry level jobs for those with bachelor’s degrees are still hiring and still paying well.
Education
Those that used to gripe that the teaching profession doesn’t pay well may have to be quiet for at least a little while as it makes the list for the top paying entry level jobs. The average first year, bachelor’s degree teacher makes an average of around $33,000 but pay varies widely from state to state. Some education majors may find themselves more employable than others, however, as some principals attempt to find teachers for certain hard to fill classes and grades. Who are the most employable? Those who are able to teach the elementary grades and those who are able to teach English, mathematics, and the sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology.
Transportation Services
New college grads that have finished training and have recently become air traffic controllers, commercial pilots, ship captains, and transportation inspectors will be happy to know that the national salary average nears $40,000 a year for green graduates. Keep in mind that the field is a large one and salaries can be much more or a little less depending on the job, location, and company.
Health Care
With an aging population, it is no surprise that the health care field is growing. Most people who have training in health care will find a good job at a fair price far before others of their graduating class, but those who are registered nurses are at the top of the list making around $40,000 the first year of employment.
Business and Finance
Although many businesses are seeing more red than black this year, new college grads with business and finance degrees will find themselves a job making a national average of around $40,000 a year as companies try to etch out a profit from a tired economy.
Biotech and Pharmaceuticals
The fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are growing by leaps and bounds so those with science degrees may want to try their hand at the many different entry level positions that are available to them like becoming a clinical data specialist or an environmental health and safety specialist. Those in the pharmaceutical field won’t have a problem finding a job as there will be an estimated 17% growth between now and 2018. The national average in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals is about $44,000 a year.
Information Technology
Computer savvy grads with degrees in information technology might find themselves a job before they pack up their dorm room. The national salary average is one of the highest paid entry level jobs that are currently on the market at a very healthy $46,000 the first year on the job.
Engineers
Those who have gone to college for engineering will probably not find themselves without a great paying job even a month after graduation. In fact, the average starting engineer with a bachelor’s degree makes around $50,000 the very first year of employment. Engineering is a varied and well paying career, but it turns out that going green brings in the most green. Although nearly all areas of engineering are hiring, those that focus on the environment such as environmental engineering are in for a 72% rise in the next few years.
New college grads that have degrees in the best paid fields may be living it easy, but others with less marketable degrees will find themselves with a job eventually as unemployment rates for those without degrees are twice as high as those with that little sheet of paper. New college students wondering what to major in may want to consider studying in one of the above fields. In fact, those that are without a degree and without a job may want to consider going back to school, even if it is for a two-year associate’s degree, in one of the growing fields that promises good pay and job stability.
References:
http://www.thebestdegrees.org/10-highest-paying-entr y-level-jobs/
http://www.davidduke.com/general/no-jobs-for-college -graduates-many-stay-at-home_18562.html