Consider it an early graduation present.
The job market for new college graduates is expanding and is continuing to gather strength just in time for newly former Jumbos to get to work, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Many graduates (both pre-meds and non-pre-meds alike) are facing an easier time finding a job in many sectors and in many places across the country.
Highly educated workers, such as Tufts graduates, can expect to fare especially well when they take on the "real world."
After a pullback following Sept. 11, the job market has grown continuously since 2004. The economy continues to add jobs month after month, and the unemployment rate stands at a five-year low of 4.4 percent.
Recent college graduates also share in the hiring binge. The NACE report indicates that companies plan to hire 17.4 percent more graduates than last year with an average pay increase of 4.6 percent.
Digging deeper inside the NACE survey notes that some sectors are faring better than others are when it comes to job growth for recent graduates.
Much of the job growth, predictably, centers in engineering and scientific fields. These positions signify that companies value knowledgeable workers who can solve problems creatively and adapt their work to a changing world.
This is exactly what a good education in any field teaches a student to do.
While the specific subject matter varies, creative and original thinking accompanied by well-honed problem solving abilities knows no educational boundaries.
We hope that companies will begin to recognize other students with these same abilities and hire more capable, eager young workers with different educational backgrounds to add talent and depth to their companies.
Tufts students are taught to be leaders in the local and global community regardless of field of study.
Companies looking for a new generation of problem solvers should look at all Tufts students for capable employees.
A strong job market and businesses flush with profits provide the basis to make this possible.
But as graduates prepare to leave the hill, the job market in Boston does not appear to be as strong as cities in the South and West.
However, wherever Jumbos may end up, they should be confident in the quality of their education and ability to perform highly in the job market, regardless of their field of study.
As many seniors end their educational careers and turn a nervous eye towards the "real world," it appears that more higher-paying jobs stand to greet new Tufts alumni as they enter the workforce. This gift that keeps on giving may be the best graduation gift of all.
