JOBS MORE PLENTIFUL FOR GRADUATES

Joy Thornberry is holding out for "just the right job."

Candace Hart has a number of employment offers, but she's still "holding out."

Christine Herman isn't in the job market yet. She's headed to law school.

Thornberry, Hart and Herman were among the more than 900 Southeast Missouri State University graduates who crowded into the Show Me Center Saturday for commencement exercises.

Many of the students will be trading degrees for jobs. Others will be extending their collegiate careers to graduate schools.

Herman is in the latter category, headed for law school at the University of Missouri.

Herman says she isn't ready for the job market yet. "Sure, there are lots of jobs out there, but it depends on what kind of job you're looking for," she said just before graduating Saturday. "But, after four years of college are you willing to settle for just any job? Most of the people I know are not."

That appears to be the feeling of many job-seeking students this year.

Thornberry, with a degree in education, has received a number of calls and has five interviews next week. But, she admits that she is holding out for "just the right job."

Hart, another education major, has also received a number of calls. But, she is still "weighing them."

Michele Sorg says she's not worried about finding a job. She has applied for 10 or 12 positions, and is confident that something will turn up within the next month.

"The jobs are there this year," said Jerry Westbrook, director of career services at Southeast State Missouri University. "Students can benefit from the strong labor market this year."

Westbrook said the hottest job markets are those in technical areas and computer sciences, with strong demands in accounting, management and marketing.

"Education and criminal justice are big in the job field this year," he said.

"No matter what the major is, students need to enhance their foreign language skills," he said. "Foreign language can be very important."

A lot of students have already accepted jobs in computers and technology fields, he said.

Computer and engineering students aren't the only one finding good job markets.

"Salary offers are up for almost everyone," said Westbrook.

This gives students an opportunity to weigh everything in a total employment package -- hours, medical benefits, retirement.

A recent study, by Dr. Patrick Scheetz, director of collegiate employment research institute at Michigan State, reflects the strong market, said Westbrook.

"This survey is conducted every year," said Westbrook. The survey includes selected businesses, industries and government industries. "This year, there is an increase of 27.5 percent in job openings for 1998 graduates."

The survey also indicated some requisites for the job market.

-- Real world work experience.

-- Communications skills.

-- Grade point averages.

-- personal appearances and presentation during interview.

-- Leadership qualities.

-- Initiative drive, problem solving, and other.

Westbrook also mentioned some of the salaries connected with various fields.

Engineering jobs -- chemical, electrical and mechanical -- range among the top salaries for college graduates, from $38,000- to $44,000; computer sciences range from $36,000 to $38,000. Other ranges include business administration, $28,000 to $30,000; nursing, $28,000 to $31,000; education, $23,000 to $36,000; journalism, $22,000 to $25,000; and telecommunications, $22,000 to $23,000. All of the starting salaries range from one to six percent over 1997 averages.

"These are national averages, and will vary from area to area," said Westbrook.