BETHLEHEM, PA—Employers looking to hire new college graduates express most interest in business, engineering, and computer sciences graduates, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).  

More than half of the employers taking part in NACE’s Job Outlook 2012 survey identified graduates in these discipline areas as their hiring focus.  

“Specific disciplines of targeted interest include accounting; finance; business administration; and mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. 

Overall, however, employers appear cautious in their plans to hire college Class of 2012 graduates. Although they report plans to hire 9.5 percent more graduates from the Class of 2012 than they hired from the Class of 2011, many say those openings are related to attrition. 

The survey also found that employers anticipate conducting the majority of their recruiting in the fall semester. “Employers expect to wrap up approximately 65 percent of their recruiting in the fall,” says Mackes.  

Employers also say they plan to keep a close eye on their hiring needs, according to Mackes. “Nearly half will reassess their needs on a quarterly basis, and almost one-third are tracking hiring needs monthly,” she says.