More positive news on the job front emerged this week as employers predict double-digit increases in spring hiring for the first time in four years.
The Wall Street Journal this week also confirmed what most PR graduates know full well–that interns and past interns have a greater chance of landing full-time jobs. The Journal elaborates on a survey covered by this blog last month. According to the survey of employers by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), hiring projections for the Class of 2011 showed a planned increase of 13.5 percent. In the group’s latest update, employers indicate total hiring of college graduates will be up 19.3 percent in 2010-11 over 2009-10.
Underscoring the importance of internships, nearly 40% of this year’s entry-level positions will be filled by former interns, according to NACE. That’s a substantial jump over five years ago when interns or former interns landed about 30% of entry-level jobs.
Edwin Koc, research director for NACE, said more than 44 percent of college hires are coming from from intern pools, but he noted the number is so high because of slow hiring overall. He also said increasing competition for talent is nudging companies to hire college grads more quickly than in the past.
The NACE survey also confirms salary spreads for college interns, ranging from a low of $15.90 per hour for communications majors to $18.90 for those majoring in engineering.
Improving job trends for PR graduates are encouraging. In addition, companies and agencies recognize that hiring interns makes good business sense. Interns and past interns already have gone through “basic training”; they know the culture and can hit the ground running in a new job.