By Elizabeth Pierdominici

Graduating students may be relieved to hear there has been a rise in the starting salaries for many careers.

According to the winter 2005 survey by the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), starting salaries for recent graduates in 85 percent of disciplines have experienced an increase. However, higher salaries do not equal a higher demand for positions in those fields.

Elementary education graduates experienced an 11.2 percent increase, with starting salaries at an average of $30,364.

Civil engineering and nursing saw increases of 5.1 percent and 4.1 percent with starting salaries of $43,159 and $38,788, respectively.

Computer science had a 3.9 percent rise with pay starting at $51,042.

Business administration rose 2.6 percent with a starting salary of $38,357, while economic and finance graduates can find starting salaries of $40,719, up .3 percent.

The survey found little data on liberal arts disciplines, but there is evidence that the field actually decreased 3.6 percent, with starting salaries of $29,060.

Marvin Reed, director of the Career Center, offered some insight into the factors for the constant change in the job market. He explained that the Survey Recruiting Trends 2004-2005, issued by the Michigan State University, reported that more employers are hiring, but there is no star industry that proves to be a jackpot for recent graduates.

Some traditional industries, such as manufacturing, are experiencing a decline in demand, he said. Since most assembly line type of production is being done overseas, the main interest in America is in marketing and selling these products.

“This includes cars, cell phones, clothes and Starbucks,” Reed said.

Therefore, more spots are opening up for executive and managerial positions.

“Because of these significant changes, students need to realize that choosing a major solely based on the salary that it can produce, is an unwise approach,” Reed added.

In a CNN Money article released in February 2005, the health care and federal government industries seem to be the upcoming “hot jobs.” According to the article, the baby boom generation has opened this window of opportunity. There is a wave of current boomers, about 77 million of them, who are reaching an age of retirement and their health needs are instituting the services of nurses, physicians, physical therapists and dentists. Furthermore, when retirement is met, many jobs positions will need workers to replace the former employees.

Federal government jobs appeal to new employees because of their steady hours and pay along with health benefits. The federal government is notably the largest employer in the country, providing jobs for 1.8 million workers. Within the next two years, this employer will need to fill approximately 150,000 positions.

“In the mid 1980s, the government projected that an unsightly decrease of teachers would occur once the baby boom generation reached an age for retirement,” Reed said. “Obviously, this is not as big of a concern as the projection warned. Now with changes in eligibility for social security, many workers are considering staying in the game until they meet the requirements to get the benefits of retirement.”

As for now, Reed’s main concern lies in the motive that students use to choose their majors. He feels that a money value or worth is often placed on what students plan to study, but that genuine interest and ability should be the ultimate guidelines for choosing a major.

A degree is worth more than a salary and learning does not end with college, he said. Through the course of time, industries will change and employers will expect different skills from their employees. Thus, one can never be overqualified for a job. Also, if a person decides that they no longer want to work in a particular industry, having a broader background of skills may just be their saving grace.

“I can’t stress enough that a liberal arts education is crucial to the foundation of a degree at the University, because employers seek a balance between creative and technical people with good communications skills,” Reed said. “Each student should ask themselves what they enjoy doing and what they are naturally good at. My hope is that students will give themselves permission to take on a challenging major, despite any fear of grades. In college, students build bridges that will lead them to many paths in the future. A strong education will allow them to explore these paths and make way for success.”