UD Home | UDaily | UDaily-Alumni | UDaily-Parents


HIGHLIGHTS
UD called 'epicenter' of 2008 presidential race

Refreshed look for 'UDaily'

Fire safety training held for Residence Life staff

New Enrollment Services Building open for business

UD Outdoor Pool encourages kids to do summer reading

UD in the News

UD alumnus Biden selected as vice presidential candidate

Top Obama and McCain strategists are UD alums

Campanella named alumni relations director

Alum trains elephants at Busch Gardens

Police investigate robbery of student

UD delegation promotes basketball in India

Students showcase summer service-learning projects

First UD McNair Ph.D. delivers keynote address

Research symposium spotlights undergraduates

Steiner named associate provost for interdisciplinary research initiatives

More news on UDaily

Subscribe to UDaily's email services


UDaily is produced by the Office of Public Relations
The Academy Building
105 East Main St.
Newark, DE 19716-2701
(302) 831-2791

Class of 2005 finds improved job market

Click here for low-resolution video of UD’s 156th Commencement

Click here for high-resolution video of UD’s 156th Commencement

Click here for low-resolution video of Jeff Shaara's address

Click here for high-resolution video of Jeff Shaara's address

Click here for Commencement 2005 photo album

See related articles:

UD celebrates its 156th Commencement

Shaara tells grads they’re ‘blessed with opportunity’

William DeLauder awarded honorary degree

Honorary degree citation for William B. DeLauder

W.D. Snodgrass receives doctor of humane letters

Honorary degree citation for W.D. Snodgrass

Class of 2005 finds improved job market

Senior class raises $47,000 for gift to UD

Four students recognized for special academic achievement

Success continues for McNair/University Undergraduate Scholars

Graduate Profile: From Nigeria to Newark--it’s been a trip for UD senior

Graduate Profile: Student's challenge motivates him to success

Graduate Profile: Peace Corps first stop for new grad

About UD’s 156th Commencement

Graduation numbers

Commencement marshals ‘vital’ to ceremony

Academic regalia

Why a mace?

Commencements past

7 p.m., May 28, 2005--University graduates this year will find a stronger job market than it has been for several years, George Sharpley Jr., a senior economist at the Delaware Department of Labor, said.

“It’s mostly a function of the overall U.S. economy improving in the last year,” Sharpley said. “We are expecting a decent economy for at least another couple of years. There’s a lot of uncertainly out there, but we are fairly confident.”

“There is a definite improvement in the job market this year.
All of our job fairs have seen significant increases in employer attendance,” Jack Townsend, director of UD’s MBNA Career Services Center, said.

The center’s Spring Career Fair on April 21 drew 105 employers, up from 81 the previous year, while other more specialized fairs for health science, engineering and technology and agriculture, saw improved participation levels, too, Townsend said.

“National statistics indicate that chemical engineers (with an average starting salary of $54,256) and electrical/computer engineers ($52,009) are the highest paid bachelor’s degree graduates,” Townsend said. “The UD experience is similar to those statistics. We have found that our nursing graduates are also getting offers in the low $50,000s and accounting majors are in the mid to upper $40,000 range.”

Townsend said UD graduates have been doing very well in the market, and their access to potential employers through the career center has greatly increased their opportunities. “As we begin to get feedback from graduates, it is clear that this will be a strong year,” he said.

Most UD graduates have the advantage of having taken internships and career-related summer jobs that enhance their resumes when looking for full-time employment. The MBNA Career Services Center emphasizes the need to start the job search early and provides a full range of programs and services to help students present themselves effectively, Townsend said.

Sharpley said many employers in Delaware are keen to hire UD graduates, and the trend is expected to continue in what he described as a “pretty good market.”

The Delaware Department of Labor projects that the graduates in the greatest demand in Delaware are accountants, auditors, computer system analysts, elementary school teachers, securities and financial services agents, construction managers, network systems administrators and analysts, Sharpley said.

“The outlook is pretty solid,” Sharpley said. “There are a lot of growth areas throughout the economy. The average growth over the next few years, through 2012, is projected at about 1.4 percent per year. We project that Delaware jobs will grow at an annual rate of 1.2 percent during this period.”

According to the Delaware Department of Labor, the jobs with highest starting salaries in the state for bachelor's degree holders are:

  • Petroleum engineers, $67,400;
  • Computer software engineers, $62,300;
  • Chemical engineers, $61,400; and
  • Mechanical electrical, computer hardware, industrial and materials engineers, $57,200.

    Highest starting salaries in other fields:
  • Industrial production managers, $53,100;
  • Computer systems analysts, $52,100; and
  • Computer programmers, $51,100.

Article by Martin Mbugua

  E-mail this article

To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here.