percentage of jobs nowadays

Employers are hiring at higher rates than last year, although the increase in job opportunities is smaller than the previous year, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, NACE. In 2007, employers were hiring for 16 percent more jobs than in 2006, whereas the employment opportunities increased by only 8 percent since last spring, according to Andrea Koncz, employment information manager at NACE. “The economy has affected projections somewhat,” she said, adding that graduates should take offers, rather than holding out for better jobs. “Even a year ago, graduates were getting more than one [job] offer. They were not accepting them to see if something better comes along. It’s smart to accept what you are getting now.” NACE’s survey was based on data from 214 employers. Koncz said that opportunities were growing in the utilities and government sectors, but shrinking in the financial and construction sectors. Koncz said it was difficult to predict how the job market would develop over the next few months. “With the election coming up, there’s no way to tell how that will affect things,” she said. Koncz said she did not see a dip in starting pay, but a new study would be out in the next few weeks that would take a closer look at salaries. Gregory Ventura, an employment counselor at Hostos Community College, said he fears employers might cut back on recruiting in coming months, but so far, he has not seen any impact from the weakened economy. The college’s March job fair attracted more than 50 recruiters, which was larger than last year’s count, he said. “Employers are posting jobs,” Ventura said. “I don’t see a radical change from last year or the year before.” Students from Hostos often go into social services, and that sector is recruiting as actively as previous years, Ventura said, adding that Hostos had the highest job placement within the City University of New York. But Ventura was skeptical about whether the job market would sustain the supply of graduates in coming months. “In the summer and fall, when gas prices go up, it might affect things,” he said. “In non-profits, the money hasn’t been cut yet,” he said emphasizing “yet.” Wendell Joyner, director of career development at Bronx Community College, said job prospects for his graduates depended on their field of interest. At a recent job fair, 35 employers showed up, but not all were looking to hire, Joyner said. “Quite a number came to maintain a presence on campus, but the jobs aren’t there,” he said. The school’s next job fair is on April 18 and will attract 300 employers, Joyner said. Joyner also emphasized that the health CARE? area is a stronger sector than others, and that computer students and business majors would need more skills to get the jobs they want. Others who won’t be going on to four-year colleges will have to “ride out the storm,” he said. “It’s an employers’ market for sure. The test will be in three to nine months.” Most students at both campuses said they were delaying the job market to attend four-year colleges. They wanted to have a bachelor’s degree on their resume before looking for a career. “An associate’s degree is like a high school diploma,” said Michael Davis, 25, a liberal arts student at Bronx Community College. “You can quote me on that. Jobs nowadays to make it, you need a high-level degree to get a decent salary.”