The job outlook for 2010 college graduates is showing signs of improvement, according to officials at DePaul University’s Career Center.

“We’re optimistic. We’ve seen a recent increase in job postings on DePaul’s recruiting site,” said Carol Montgomery, associate vice president for Career and Money Management who oversees the Career Center. “The National Association of Colleges and Employers predicts a 5.3 percent increase in college hiring, with salaries projected to remain the same or slightly down.”

For DePaul students, however, the market appears much better. There was a 37 percent increase in job postings from April 2009 to April 2010. Nearly 80 percent of these job postings were for full-time positions geared to college students and graduates. Among the positions most in demand are management, web development, application developer and social media marketing.

Many DePaul students work while in school, either through internships or part-time work, giving them qualities that employers look for in job candidates.“Top candidate skills such as excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic mean DePaul students are well-positioned in today’s job market,” Montgomery said.

“This positions graduating DePaul students due to their previous work experience, reputation for hitting the ground running and working hard,” she said. “Most DePaul graduates (85 percent) get jobs related to their fields of study.”

Approximately 300 internships are posted each month at the Career Center, which represents a slight decrease over last year, said Montgomery, adding that more of them are unpaid this year than last year.

The number of employers attending job fairs decreased 11 percent in the 2009-10 academic year compared to the 2008-09 school year, reflecting an overall static job market. Student attendance increased, however. “Employers are increasingly using job fairs to hire interns. Data shows that as many as 50 percent of internships convert into full-time positions,” Montgomery said.

The Career Center offers DePaul a dedicated service, “senior season” in spring quarter, which includes a mobile career center at both campuses, a weekly updated “Who’s Hiring” listing, priority career advising, senior walk-in service, on-the-spot résumé reviews, job search and money management workshops. Also included are the Just-in-Time Fair on June 22, practice interviews with alumni volunteers, and workshops on personal branding with LinkedIn and Twitter, and alternative careers. A Career Changers Work Team is offered through the center to help those who are transitioning from one role or industry to another.

DePaul’s Alumni Relations works in partnership with the Career Center to offer Corporate Connectors, a program to help DePaul students and alumni make a smooth transition to a new job or prepare for an upcoming interview at a specific corporation. Several hundred alumni have offered to meet or correspond with fellow alumni or students who are applying to their companies. These volunteers welcome DePaul-affiliated new hires or interns who’ve recently joined their firms. 

A 2009 post-graduation survey showed that 74 percent of DePaul baccalaureate recipients were employed and/or in graduate school within six months of graduation. At the master’s level, 82 percent of survey respondents were employed and/or in graduate school within six months of graduation.

In 2009, DePaul graduates were almost twice the national average more likely to work in the nonprofit or government sectors, with 30 percent of DePaul’s graduates doing so compared to 17 percent nationally. This reflects DePaul’s mission and Vincentian focus on helping others and being an agent of social change, Montgomery said.

Entry-level salaries for 2009 DePaul bachelor-degree graduates were highest for the College of Computing and Digital Media ($50,469); followed by $45,658 for College of Commerce graduates; $35,395 for College of Communication graduates; $35,223 for graduates of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and $34,167 for the School of Education.

Even after they land their first jobs, DePaul graduates should include their university’s career services office as part of any future job searches, Montgomery said.

“They’ll be able to help you tap into your school’s alumni and employer networks and point you in the direction of some resources that can help out,” she said. “Networking is crucial, since only about 25 percent of available jobs are ever listed on the open market. It’s a lifelong skill students can learn early and that can benefit them in the long run.”

About DePaul

With more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, non-profit university in the Midwest. The university offers approximately 275 graduate and undergraduate programs of study on two Chicago campuses, four suburban campuses and three international locations. Founded in 1898, DePaul remains committed to providing a quality education through personal attention to students from a wide range of backgrounds. For more information, visit www.depaul.edu.