CHICAGO, March 11 (UPI) -- Surveys indicate for the first time since the 2000-2001 academic year, U.S. employers expect to increase hiring of new college graduates.
But the good news is tempered with caution by the Challenger, Gray & Christmas placement firm in Chicago, which said Thursday the battle for those jobs will be more competitive than ever.
The company said this year's 1.3 million college graduates will fight for entry level jobs with 3.2 million jobless 20- to 24-year-olds; 9 million stay-at-home parents who could re-enter the labor force at any time; and the growing population of 65- to 69-year-old would-be retirees forced back to work by lack of health insurance and high credit card debt.
The international placement firm suggested some of the best opportunities could be found in global marketing, where entry-level salaries for marketing majors are expected to average $36,000 in 2004.
Another hot area is human resources management, where starting salaries range from $32,000 for entry-level human resource generalists, training coordinators and assistants, up to $48,000 for entry-level benefits and compensation analysts.
