1. An illustration of a map and location icons.
    Students Considering Job Offers Look at Cost of Living as Top Factor to Relocate

    Graduating students weighing job offers heavily consider the cost of living in each job’s location when making their decision, according to NACE’s 2024 Student Survey report.

  2. Students on campus walking to a career fair.
    More Than Half of Students Attended a Career Fair in the Past 12 Months

    Career fairs are relatively effective means for students to convert connections into jobs, according to NACE’s 2024 Student Survey report.

  3. A student intern works with full time employees.
    Students Recognize the Importance of Gaining Internship Experience

    The percent of graduating seniors who participated in an internship is the highest that NACE has recorded in the past six years, according to results of NACE’s 2024 Student Survey.

  4. A group of professionals greet a job candidate.
    The Candidate Experience: Why Execution Matters

    When done right, execution—meeting or exceeding students’ expectations throughout their candidate experience—helps drive success in early talent recruiting.

  5. A professor teaches a college class.
    Research Reveals Opportunity to Increase Faculty Awareness of Campus Resources

    Because faculty are frequently asked by their current and former students for career advice, there is an opportunity to increase awareness among faculty of the resources available to them.

  6. A group of college graduates in their caps and gowns.
    Class of 2023 Starting Salaries Show Considerable Growth

    Salaries for college graduates overall continue to climb as, for the second straight year, the increase in average salary for a graduating class has surpassed 7%.

  7. An HR department reviews current recruiting benchmarks.
    Recruiting Benchmarks: Budgets, Early Offers for Internships, and Retention of College Grads

    There are interesting data points from NACE’s 2024 Recruiting Compensation Report in terms of budgets, internship offers, and retention that provide insight into the operations and approaches of URR functions.

  8. A man works at a laptop.
    As Employers Push Out Time From Interview to Offer, Student Response Time Holds Steady

    Recruiters are taking more time to extend an offer to a candidate following an interview, but the deadline for acceptance remains close to two weeks.

  9. Student activists protest.
    NACE Quick Poll: Potential for Campus Unrest Has Little Effect on Fall Recruiting, Hiring Decisions

    The political and social unrest seen on college campuses last spring and that may potentially reignite this fall has little impact on college recruiting, according to results of a recent NACE quick poll.

  10. A data chart showing a line graph rising upward.
    Salaries Climb for All Levels of Recruiting Professionals

    Lifted by average increases that ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%, salaries for all recruiting professionals increased in 2023, while the majority of respondents at all levels received bonuses.

  11. A group of college graduates taking a selfie.
    College Is Worth It: Class of 2024 Says College Prepared Them Well for Their Careers

    Nearly 90% of the college Class of 2024 indicated that their institution prepared them for the next step in their career, according to results of NACE’s 2024 Student Survey.

  12. A group of college students.
    Economic Security Tops Class of 2024 Wish List

    The college Class of 2024 is looking for economic security in a job, according to results of NACE’s annual student survey.

  13. A group of college graduates.
    The Degree Continues to Be an Important Factor in College Recruiting

    While nearly 20% of employers that responded to NACE’s Job Outlook 2024 Spring Update survey have had discussions about removing the college degree as a key requirement for entry-level positions, nearly 80% of respondents expect that there will be no change in the next two years.

  14. A watercolor painting of the US Supreme Court.
    Supreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling Appears to Have No Impact on Employers’ DEI Recruiting Priorities

    Despite the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling overturning affirmative action, the decision appears to be having little to no impact on employers’ DEI recruiting priorities.

  15. Two women review a report.
    Career Progression Among Career Services and University Recruiting Professionals

    Results of a NACE quick poll identify barriers and accelerators affecting the career paths of career services and university recruiting professionals.

  16. A young woman interviewing for an internship.
    Intern Hiring Is Stable for 2024

    Hiring for internships is expected to remain stable this year, according to NACE’s 2024 Internship and Co-op Report. Overall, eight out of 10 employers taking part in NACE’s annual benchmark report expect to maintain (47.2%) or increase (32.2%) the number of interns they bring in for 2023-24 compared to the 2022-23 academic year.

  17. An illustration of a magnifying glass looking at charts and resumes.
    Job Outlook Spring Update: Overall Hiring Dips, But Most Employers Will Maintain or Increase Hiring

    Nearly 83% of employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2024 Spring Update survey anticipate increasing or maintaining hiring for the Class of 2024. This leaves just 17.4% of respondents planning to decrease hires, but their planned cuts mean overall hiring projections are down 5.8% from last year.

  18. A group of different colored pencils with faces drawn on them.
    Quick Poll: Do NACE Members Feel Like They Belong at Work?

    Belonging at work—feeling that one is valued, accepted, and supported—helps to ensure a healthy, productive, and positive work environment. NACE surveyed its membership to better understand their experiences with belonging in the profession.

  19. A group of college kids looking at their cell phones.
    Spring Hill Starts Early, Meets Students Where They Are to Attain High FDS Knowledge Rate

    For Spring Hill College, the work to attain a high knowledge rate on its first-destination survey begins in the fall.

  20. An illustration of a pencil completing a survey.
    Tweaks in FDS Survey Process Lead to High Knowledge Rate at Roanoke

    Despite achieving a knowledge rate of 90.6% on its most recent first-destination survey, the Roanoke College career center is tweaking the survey’s process to improve it.

  21. A group of early talent recruiters.
    Recruiters Make the Difference

    Recruiters who foster a sense of belonging among potential hires have a positive impact on the candidate’s view of the organization.

  22. An illustration of people examining data.
    The Strategies Centre College Uses to Attain a High FDS Response Rate

    Centre College’s three-year average knowledge rate for its first-destination survey (FDS) stands at an impressive 98%. This is especially notable given that the survey wasn’t required for students until 2023.

  23. A group of interns.
    Hourly Wages for Interns Have Kept Pace With Inflation

    Hourly wages for interns have kept pace with inflation, signaling the value of these programs to employers.

  24. A diverse group of young professionals.
    Preferences for Job/Organization Attributes and Benefits Differ by Race and Gender

    When it comes to the attributes of a job and an organization and the benefits the organization offers, there are some differences in student preferences by race and gender.

  25. A woman programming on a computer.
    Insights for Supporting Women in Computing-Related Internships

    Women remain underrepresented in computer science majors and careers. Two researchers conducted a study to see how women in computing experience and make sense of their internships, and how their internship experiences shape their future career plans.

  26. An illustration of a man easily climbing stairs vs. a woman who is climbing giant ledges.
    Propelling Pay Equity Forward: Strategies for a Fairer Future

    Recent studies reveal that systemic barriers continue to limit progress on achieving pay equity for all, but there are tangible, proven ways that career centers and employers can make an impact.

  27. A recruiter interviews a college student.
    Employers Slower to Make Offers, but Students Quicker to Accept Them

    Employers were slower in making offers to their candidates for their full-time positions than they were prior to the pandemic, although students who accepted the offers were quicker to do so.

  28. Young professionals in the office attend a virtual meeting with coworkers who are working remotely.
    Hybrid Work Modality for Entry-Level Hires Matches Student Desires

    Despite calls to “return to the office” from employers and the prevailing media narrative, the hybrid work modality appears here to stay.

  29. Someone analyzes research data from NACE's Winter Salary Survey.
    Projections Point to Salary Increases for Class of 2024 Bachelor’s Grads

    There is good news for the Class of 2024: Salary projections for all reported groups of majors are higher than the projections reported for the Class of 2023

  30. A young student pursues an online degree.
    Employers See Online Degrees as Comparable to In-person Degrees

    NACE’s Job Outlook 2024 survey found that among employers that capture their new hires’ degree modality, 87.4% hired new college graduates with an online degree.

  31. A group of professionals review some charts.
    Recruiters and Students Have Differing Perceptions of New Grads’ Proficiency in Competencies

    Although new college graduates looking to enter the workforce and employers hiring these graduates agree on which competencies are most important for job candidates to hone, their perception of student proficiency in them differs.

  32. Someone reviews a stack of resumes.
    The Key Attributes Employers Are Looking for on Graduates’ Resumes

    Career services practitioners can help college students attract the attention of employers via their resume by encouraging them to highlight the skills they developed through their education and experiences.

  33. An illustration of a stack of books.
    The Value of Higher Education

    NACE President & CEO Shawn VanDerziel shares NACE research, which indicates that both employers and college students and graduates view higher education and the college degree as valuable.

  34. A group of young professionals.
    Salaries Expected to Be Stable for Class of 2024 Bachelor’s, Master’s Graduates

    Slightly more than 43% of employers plan to increase starting salaries to Class of 2024 bachelor’s degree graduates, and nearly all remaining employers anticipate keeping salaries at last year’s levels.

  35. A group of college graduates.
    College Educations: If Graduates Had It to Do Over Again, Nearly All Would

    New college graduates embrace the value of higher education, with 91% reporting that, if they had a chance to do it again, they would opt to pursue a college education.

  36. A group of recruiters welcome a new employee.
    Small Dip in Overall Hiring Projections for Class of 2024 Follows Record Job Growth

    The small dip in college hiring revealed by NACE’s Job Outlook 2024 survey is down from the last two years, when the college job market experienced brisk growth that, in 2022, reached record levels.

  37. The Impact of Career Services on Women Pursuing Tech Careers
    The Impact of Career Services on Women Pursuing Tech Careers

    This study, a collaboration between NACE and Break Through Tech, provides evidence that career services can help level the playing field for women pursuing STEM careers.

  38. A woman works on a project.
    Employers Confirm Their Belief in Value of Higher Ed

    Employers confirmed their belief in the value of higher education and higher education institutions in NACE’s latest benchmark survey.

  39. A recruiter holds up two cards, one reading, "no" and one reading, "yes."
    Authenticity and Its Impact on Offer Acceptances and Reneges

    Mary Scott compared data from 2016 to that from 2022 to gauge students’ assessment that an employer “made it seem as though they were interested in me.” What she found was astonishing.

  40. A stack of coins with a graduation cap sitting atop a coin-filled jar at the end.
    Salary Differentials Show Value of Earning a Master’s Degree for Class of 2022 Graduates

    What is the value of earning an advanced degree? In terms of salary, some Class of 2022 majors benefited significantly by earning a master’s degree.

  41. A line graph superimposed upon a growing stack of coins.
    Final Salaries Jumped for Class of 2022 Bachelor’s, Master’s Graduates

    The overall average starting salary for Class of 2022 graduates who earned bachelor’s degree is up 7.4%, climbing to $60,028 from $55,911 for the Class of 2021.

  42. Upward arrows superimposed on a woman who is deep in thought.
    NACE Members Offer Tips on Increasing First-Destination Survey Response Rates

    Career centers looking to increase FDS response rates might want to focus on communicating regularly with students, providing participation incentives, and ensuring the process is convenient for students.

  43. A woman examines an uneven stack of coins indicative of the widening gender pay gap.
    What Can Be Done to Shrink the Widening Gender Pay Gap?

    Early data from a forthcoming NACE study indicate that the gender pay gap has widened over the past year, with female graduates now earning just 72 cents to every dollar earned by male graduates, down from around 81 cents.

  44. A group of students work on computers.
    The Class of 2023: Inequity Continues to Underpin Internship Participation and Pay Status

    Data provided by more than 2,300 bachelor’s degree-level graduating seniors who took part in NACE’s 2023 Student Survey demonstrate that systemic inequities continue to exist in internships—not only in terms of who takes part, but also in terms of who gets paid.

  45. A student works are her computer.
    The Class of 2023: Career Preparation, Plans, and Expectations

    As we head into the warm days of the summer, the Class of 2023 is getting ready to make their mark on their first career destinations. They are starting careers in a world that is trying to emerge from a global pandemic but one that continues to grapple with social justice and equity.

  46. A young woman on a job interview.
    Employers' Hiring Projections for Class of 2023 Up 3.9%, but Down From Fall

    Projections in the Job Outlook 2023 Spring Update show that employers are planning to hire 3.9% more graduates from the Class of 2023 than they did from the Class of 2022.

  47. Two people shaking hands.
    Look Around, Lean In, and Level Up: Creating Strong Partnerships With HBCUs and PBIs

    What are some key considerations and steps for employers to take to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with HBCUs and PBIs?

  48. A group of recruiters welcome a group of interns to the office.
    Intern Hiring Up More Than 9% for 2022-23 Academic Year

    This gain underscores the value employers place on their internship programs and their commitment to them.

  49. students at a large desk working on separate computers
    LISTENING TO THE STORIES NACE RESEARCH IS TELLING US

    NACE has conducted research that identifies important trends and unearths key insights that can help members enhance or adjust their operations to meet challenges and demands.

  50. A group of diverse women.
    GAUGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMAL DIVERSITY RECRUITING EFFORTS

    Slightly more than 85% of employers reported having formal diversity recruiting goals, according to NACE’s 2022 Recruiting Benchmarks Report, but how effective are these efforts?

  51. A group of professionals evaluate their organization's equity efforts.
    CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE EQUITY AUDITS REQUIRES ASKING HARD QUESTIONS, PLANNING TO ADDRESS FINDINGS

    Research conducted by NACE and The Center for the Study of HBCUs underscores how important it is for companies to conduct audits to assess gaps and inequities in their recruiting efforts.

  52. A bar chart superimposed on a photo of a stack of coins.
    Differential in Starting Salaries Between Bachelor’s and Master’s Grads Is Diminishing

    What is the advantage of obtaining a master’s degree? In terms of average starting salary, that advantage has been declining in recent years.

  53. An image of a line chart moving upwards.
    SALARIES EXPECTED TO CLIMB FOR CLASS OF 2023 MASTER’S GRADS

    All reported categories of majors at the master’s degree level show projected increases for the Class of 2023.

  54. A collage of images featuring career services.
    The Value of Career Services

    NACE’s research shows that career services has a quantifiable effect on students and their entry into the world of work. It’s hardly a new question: Over the years, many career services professionals have been asked to respond, often when budgets are tight and administrators are looking for where to make cuts, but even when that’s not the case.

  55. A recruiter interviews a job candidate.
    CYCLE TIMES SHIFT AS INTERVIEW TO OFFER GROWS, WHILE OFFER TO ACCEPTANCE DIPS

    The amount of time for students participating in a job interview to receiving an offer has increased over the past several years, but the time they take to accept the offer dropped in 2022.

  56. Two business professionals shake hands.
    As Their Focus on GPA Fades, Employers Seek Key Skills on College Grads’ Resumes

    Career services practitioners can help college students attract the attention of employers via their resume by encouraging them to highlight the skills they developed—such as problem-solving and teamwork skills—through their various experiences, according to NACE’s Job Outlook 2023 report.

  57. A graduation hat sits stop a resume.
    2021 College Graduates Saw Outcomes Rate Improve From Class of 2020

    The unusual and uncertain times experienced by the college Class of 2021 in its final year was reflected in its outcomes, which improved from last year, but remained down from pre-pandemic levels, according to NACE’s First Destinations for the College Class of 2021 report.

  58. A group of recruiters discuss the latest NACE research.
    Employers Project 14.7% Increase in Hiring for Class of 2023 College Graduates

    Employers plan to hire 14.7% more new college graduates from the Class of 2023 than they did from the Class of 2022, according to NACE’s Job Outlook 2023 report.

  59. A group of recruiters review a list of what students are looking for in a job.
    What Students Want in a Job: Security, Skill Development, Friendly Coworkers, and Good Benefits

    Job security tops the list of attributes new college graduates say are important in a job. The ability to develop job-specific and soft skills, friendly coworkers, and a good benefits package round out the top five, with the top four all coming within two percentage points of each other according to results of NACE’s 2022 Student Survey.

  60. Employers conduct an in-person interview.
    Employers Committed to In-person Recruiting, but Virtual Remains Part of Employer, College Strategies

    Employers are strongly committed to in-person college recruiting activities this fall as they are largely unencumbered by travel restrictions that organizations imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to results of NACE’s Quick Poll on Fall Recruiting and Career Services.

  61. A computer engineer at work.
    Salary for Class of 2023 Computer Sciences Grads Expected to Fall, but Demand Remains Strong

    The average salary projection for computer sciences graduates at the bachelor’s degree level is expected to be lower than last year, but these grads remain in high demand.

  62. A composite image of a person's silhouette and an abstract network.
    Addressing the Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in Young Professionals

    College graduates in their early professional careers report significant mental health issues and view their jobs as a contributing factor. How can employers and colleges provide support?

  63. An illustration of people holding on to a line graph.
    Preliminary Poll Results Highlight Resolve in College Recruiting Despite Potential Impact of Recession, Surge in Viruses

    Based on their forward-looking staffing plans for the upcoming year, it appears employers are expecting similar or higher levels of recruiting activity this year, according to preliminary results of NACE’s Summer 2022 Quick Poll on Fall Recruiting and Career Services.

  64. Recruiters shake the hand of a job candidate.
    As Offer Rate Climbed, Acceptance and Early Retention Rates Fell

    The percent of interviews resulting in a job offer has climbed to its highest level of the past five years, but acceptances and retention rates for the first three years of employment fell.

  65. A group of interns work on a project at a PC.
    Keeping Momentum Going by Converting Interns From Historically Marginalized Groups

    Beyond ensuring diversity in the composition of their intern cohort, employers’ ability to convert their interns into full-time hires is a critical component to diversifying their workforce.

  66. University Relations and Recruiting professionals discuss their Fall 2022 recruiting strategy.
    Summer 2022 Quick Poll on Fall Recruiting and Career Services

    To facilitate planning and benchmarking for both employers and career centers, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is conducting a quick poll that looks at fall recruiting as well as how career services offerings will be delivered.

  67. Creating an Interactive Visualization of the Scope of Jobs, Hope College’s Alumni
    Takeaways From the Fall 2021 Racial Injustice Quick Poll

    In fall 2021, NACE conducted a quick poll to survey members about the challenges they experienced in addressing the career needs of diverse students.

  68. A close up of a survey questionnaire.
    Survey Finds That Personal Experiences With Inequality, Health Help Shape Gen Z Career Choices

    Personal experience is a factor for how Gen Z high school and college students determine the industries they want to work in and the organizations they prefer to work for, according to results of the 2022 Career Interest Survey conducted by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).

  69. An employer works with a group of interns.
    Employers Cite Internships as Recruiting Strategy With Highest ROI; Strongly Prefer In-person Career Fairs

    Employers overwhelmingly believe hosting internships is the recruiting strategy that yields the highest return on investment leading to entry-level hires.

  70. A stack of people figurines standing on piles of coins.
    Hampered by the Pandemic, Salaries Up Only Slightly for Class of 2021

    The overall average salary for Class of 2021 graduates is $55,911, which is only 1.2% higher than that for the Class of 2020 ($55,260). The fact that the increase in starting salary is small may simply be a case of timing as the Class of 2021 was still experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market.

  71. A career services professional takes the First-Destination Survey.
    More than 80% of Career Centers Conduct First-Destination Surveys

    More than 80% of schools conducted first-destination surveys in 2021-22, according to NACE’s 2021-22 Career Services Benchmarks Survey Report.

  72. An illustration of people standing on a stack of dollar bills.
    As Employer Recruiting Budgets Grew in 2022, Their Overall Staffing Numbers Fell

    The average number of full-time URR staff members that organizations employ decreased to 13.5 from 14.3 last year.

  73. A composition of avatars and profile pictures.
    The Average Number of Recruiters Per Recruiting Department

    On average, there were 8.5 full-time recruiters per recruiting department within organizations replying to NACE’s 2021 Recruiting Benchmarks Survey.

  74. A recruiter reviews applications on a laptop.
    Use of GPA to Screen Candidates Continues Fall, Drops Nearly 3% This Year

    The percentage of employers that use GPA screening as a method of choosing job candidates continues to fall as it has dipped nearly 3% since the fall, according to NACE’s Job Outlook 2022 Spring Update.

  75. A compilation of students texting on their phones.
    Texts, Tailored Information Keys to Attaining High FDS Knowledge Rate at Davidson

    In recent years, the overall knowledge rate of Davidson College’s first-destination survey (FDS) has been near or above 90%. Davidson has found several steps—such as getting an early start, using texts, and providing tailored information—to be helpful in attaining and maintaining a high FDS knowledge rate.

  76. An intern spends some time working remotely.
    Hybrid Model Is Employers’ Favored Modality for Internships

    Regardless of how employers ran their programs in summer 2021, the hybrid model is their favored modality for their 2021-22 internships, according to NACE’s 2022 Internship & Co-op Survey Report.

  77. A group of interns meets a group of supervisors.
    Intern Hiring Projection Jumps 22.6%, Co-op Hiring Makes Small Gain

    Employers expect to boost their intern hiring by 22.6% for the 2021-22 academic year, while their hiring of co-ops is up 1.1% this year, according to results of NACE’s 2022 Internship & Co-op Survey Report.

  78. A computer science grad at work.
    Computer Sciences, Engineering Top-Paid Categories for Class of 2021 Master’s Grads

    The top-paid categories for Class of 2021 master’s degree graduates were computer sciences and engineering, according to results of NACE’s Summer 2022 Salary Survey, which is the final salary report for the Class of 2021. (See Figure 1.)

  79. A group of college graduates in 2020.
    Outreach to Target Students Who Indicate “Still Seeking” on FDS Survey

    Yale University’s Office of Career Strategy is undertaking an aggressive personal outreach effort to graduating students who indicate they are “still seeking” on the university’s first-destination survey.

  80. Two professionals work together.
    Most New College Hires Will Work In Person or Hybrid

    Most entry-level hires will start their careers in the office—at least for part of the time—according to results of NACE’s 2023 Job Outlook Spring Update Survey.

  81. A college campus.
    Trends Continue for Career Services’ Location, Reporting Structure

    Career centers are being housed less frequently in student affairs, more frequently in other divisions, and increasingly in various parts of the institution.

  82. An illustration of silhouettes of people with low battery icons above their heads.
    Majority of NACE Members Report Work-Related Burnout

    Among respondents to a recent NACE quick poll, more than half of the association’s employer members and more than two-thirds of its college members reported experiencing burnout.

  83. A recruiter walks to a career fair
    Prevalence, Popularity of Career Fairs Remains Steady

    Career fairs are one of the most frequently provided services by college career centers, as 91.7 percent reported hosting at least one career fair in 2017-18.

  84. An illustration of people silhouettes and data symbols.
    NACE Quick Poll: Employers Cautious About Using AI in Recruiting Efforts

    Uncertainty surrounds the use of artificial intelligence among university relations and recruiting professionals and, to a lesser extent, among career services practitioners.

  85. A woman works at a laptop during a business meeting.
    Practices for Successfully Recruiting, Developing Students From HBCUs, PBIs

    There are several research-based practices employers can implement to achieve greater success in recruiting and developing interns from HBCUs and PBIs.

  86. A woman enters data for a survey on her cellphone.
    Using FDS to Benefit Your School and Demonstrate Value of Higher Ed

    Schools that conduct an annual FDS to capture information on how their new college graduates fare following graduation can benefit their own institutions and demonstrate the value of higher education.

  87. woman sitting across the table conversing
    Key Factors to Consider When Setting Intern Salaries

    "When setting intern salaries, factors such as students’ major, functional area, degree, and year of study are important considerations.

  88. person working at a desk with transparent clipart overlayed
    NACE Center: Current Research on the Impact of Internships

    Free downloads from the NACE Center: These studies examine how internships impact the development and initial career outcomes of college graduates.

  89. counselor working with a student
    Primary Focus: Career Coaching vs. Career Counseling

    Coaching is the primary focus regarding the career development of students and the professional development among career services staff.

  90. group of men and women sitting around a large table conversing
    The Key Skills Employers Develop in Their Interns

    The key competencies employers want in the students they hire for internships are also among the skills employers help their interns to develop.

  91. two men sitting across from eachother conversing
    Competencies Employers Seek in Internship/Co-Op Hires

    When it comes to selecting students for their internship and co-op programs, employers have a set of five competencies that are “must haves.

  92. students sitting on stairs working in groups
    First-Generation Students and Job Success

    Using data from NACE’s 2016 Student Survey, NACE research looks at factors that may influence the job success of first-generation students.

  93. two men looking at something on a laptop
    Paid Interns/Co-ops See Greater Offer Rates and Salary Offers Than Their Unpaid Classmates

    Students who took paid internships or co-ops were more likely to receive an offer of full-time employment and a higher salary offer from their employers than were students who took unpaid internships or co-ops, according to results of NACE’s Class of 2015 Student Survey.

  94. report title over blue wave background
    NACE Report: COVID-19 Quick Poll Series

    From March through June 2020, NACE conducted a series of monthly quick polls among its members to gauge how their operations and plans—including job offers and plans for summer internships—were affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This report compiles poll results.

  95. silhouettes of business people with geometric shapes overlayed
    Fall Quick Poll: Virtual Career Fairs

    NACE is conducting a quick poll of its college and employer members October 19, 2020, through late November; the poll focuses on how career fairs—long a mainstay of fall recruiting—fared in the virtual environment for students, career services, and employers, and also looks at member mobility.

  96. graduate
    The Difference a Master’s Degree Can Have on Starting Salary

    In terms of a college graduate’s starting salary, earning a master’s degree can make a substantial difference.

  97. abstract image
    Current Trends in Diversity Recruiting Practices

    Texas Tech University undertook a study of recruiters at Big XII universities to identify current diversity recruiting practices.

  98. An MIS student smiles.
    MIS Projected To Be Top-Paid Business Major

    Management information systems majors are projected to have the highest starting salary among Class of 2020 business graduates earning bachelor’s degrees.

  99. A group of STEM students work together on a project.
    Starting Salary Projections for Top-Earning Degrees Level

    While engineering, computer science, and math and sciences degrees continue to be the highest earning bachelor’s degrees, the individual average projections for these degrees appear to have leveled.

  100. two people sitting at a table
    Students: Internships Positively Impact Competencies

    Students feel that their experiential education assignments have a positive impact on their career readiness competencies.

  101. five people around a table
    The Four Career Competencies Employers Value Most

    Employers have consistently identified the four career readiness competencies that they find essential in their new college hires.

  102. three people looking at a tablet
    ARE COLLEGE GRADUATES “CAREER READY”?

    When it comes to rating the “career readiness” of college graduates, there are differences in perception between students and employers.

  103. people around a computer
    Employers Rate Career Competencies, New Hire Proficiency

    While employers rate critical thinking/problem solving as the most essential competency for new hires, they rate their hires more proficient in other areas.

  104. two people using a tablet
    Employers: Verbal Communication Most Important Candidate Skill

    When asked to assess candidate skills/qualities, employers rated verbal communications skills the most important, according to NACE' s Job Outlook 2016 report.

  105. An student gains experience outside of the classroom.
    The Co-curricular Connection: The Impact of Experiences Beyond the Classroom on Soft Skills

    In spring 2014, the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation launched a working group to look at how the soft skills gained through participation and employment in co-curricular experiences helped to prepare students for their careers. The goal was to identify ways that students are gaining skills that make them more desirable to employers by participating in programs in collegiate recreation and campus activities and by engaging in student employment in the fields of collegiate recreation and campus activities.

  106. A group of career services professionals.
    Career Services Staff Salaries Begin to Separate at Management Level

    There is very little differentiation in the average salaries for each of the career services positions until one gets to the management level.

  107. Paint swatches in all different colors.
    Racial Disproportionalities Exist in Terms of Intern Representation

    NACE research shows that disproportionalities exist in terms of race/ethnicity and representation by internship attainment and pay type.

  108. A female intern at a table of mostly men.
    Women Are Underrepresented Among Paid Interns

    NACE research shows that women are overrepresented among unpaid interns and underrepresented among paid interns.

  109. three people sitting around a table
    First-Generation Students Underrepresented in Internships

    First-generation college students are overrepresented among “never interns” and underrepresented among paid interns.

  110. Data graphs superimposed over a city.
    NACE Quick Poll: Responding to Racial Injustice

    In August 2020, NACE launched quick polls to gauge how institutions, organizations, and individual career services and recruiting offices are responding to the need to address racial injustice.

  111. A computer science student works on a project.
    Computer Science Grads Projected To Be Top-Paid Major

    Class of 2022 bachelor’s degree graduates earning degrees in the computer sciences are expected to command top dollar, according to the Winter 2022 Salary Survey, published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

  112. A recruiter reviews a student's resume for certain key attributes.
    Key Attributes Employers Want to See on Students’ Resumes

    As they are reviewing college graduates’ resumes this year, employers are focused on finding evidence of candidates’ problem-solving skills and teamwork abilities.

  113. graduation
    Average Salary for Class of 2019 Up Almost 6 Percent Over Class of 2018’s

    The final overall average starting salary for the Class of 2019 is $53,889, which is up 5.8 percent over the final average starting salary of $50,944 for the Class of 2018.

  114. graduation
    Computer Sciences, Business the Top-Paid Class of 2019 Majors at Advanced-Degree Levels

    Computer sciences majors have the highest starting salary at the master’s-degree level for the Class of 2019, while business grads are the top-paid at the doctoral level.

  115. airplane
    Transportation and Materials Moving Top-Paid Class of 2019 Associate Graduates

    Transportation and materials moving majors earned the highest average starting salary by far among Class of 2019 associate degree graduates.

  116. abstract globe
    College Graduate Hiring Plans Flatten Out for Class of 2021

    Although college hiring has indeed been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, steps employers have taken have allowed them, at least to this point, to blunt its potential full impact.

  117. Abstract people
    Nearly 90% of Employers Have a Diversity Recruiting Strategy for Class of 2021

    More than 87% of responding organizations report that they have a diversity recruiting strategy for the Class of 2021, the second highest level reported in the past seven years.

  118. abstract devices
    Pandemic Prompted Significant Changes to Recruiting Methods, Not Schedules

    Employers were more likely to make changes to their recruiting methods than they were to their recruiting schedule for the 2020-21 academic year.

  119. Students at graduation
    Starting Salary Projections Positive for the Class of 2021

    The average starting salary projections for all reported categories of majors for Class of 2021 bachelor’s degree graduates show increases, albeit some of them are on the smaller side.

  120. Picture of computer code
    Demand for Computer Sciences Graduates High in the Current Job Market

    Data from NACE’s Winter 2021 Salary Survey show the value of computer sciences majors in the current job market.

  121. Students in cap and gown
    Starting Salary Projections Climb for Most Master’s Majors

    Starting salaries are expected to increase among many master’s degree majors this year.

  122. Person with graduation cap
    First Destinations: 2019 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates Post Gains

    Nearly 60% of Class of 2019 bachelor’s grads were employed in full-time positions with a traditional employer and nearly 19% were going on for an advanced degree by the end of 2019.

  123. Four people looking at laptop screen
    Intern, Co-op Hiring Both Down From Last Year

    Employers anticipate hiring fewer interns and co-ops this year than they did last year, according to NACE’s 2021 Internship & Co-op Survey Report.

  124. People sitting on chairs
    College Hiring Rebounds to Increase 7.2%

    College hiring appears to have rebounded from the fall as employers now expect to hire 7.2% more new graduates from the Class of 2021 than they did from the Class of 2020.

  125. Picture of computer tablet with graphs
    Pandemic Impacts Career Services Budgets, Staffing

    Research illustrates the hit that career center budgets took during the pandemic, as more than one-third of career centers reported cuts to their personnel budgets.

  126. Picture of resumes
    Percentage of Employers Screening College Graduates by GPA Drops Sharply

    Just 56.6% of employers are using GPA to screen college graduates from the Class of 2021 for open positions.

  127. Desk with resume on it
    The Attributes Employers Seek on Students’ Resumes

    With fewer employers screening job candidates by GPA, it is increasingly important that college graduates demonstrate certain key attributes on their resumes.

  128. paper cutout of people
    Internship Experience the Top Differentiator When Choosing Between Otherwise Equal Job Candidates

    Employers report that internship experience is the most influential factor they consider when deciding between two otherwise equally qualified job candidates.

  129. Picture of a career fair
    Fees Charged to Employers for In-Person Career Fairs Dropped Sharply This Year

    It’s not surprising that fees for in-person career fairs were down sharply in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20, but the charges for hybrid fairs jumped for some employers.

  130. Person picking up a person image from many
    Key Factors When Choosing Between Equal Candidates for Jobs, Internships/Co-ops

    There are differences and similarities in the attributes employers seek when deciding between two qualified candidates for a full-time job and for an internship or co-op.

  131. Light bulb with different patterns
    Faculty Are Our Allies in Teaching Career Preparation and Readiness Skills

    To understand faculty activity and attitudes about preparing students for post-degree employment, the authors surveyed faculty and found that are willing allies.

  132. Bar graph with word salaries
    Salaries for College Graduates Climb Despite Pandemic

    The final overall average starting salary for the college Class of 2020 landed at $55,260—2.5% above the final average starting salary for the Class of 2019.

  133. Person looking at survey results
    The Value of Earning a Master’s Degree Substantial for Several Majors

    What value can a master’s degree have over a bachelor’s degree? For certain majors, the differential in starting salaries is substantial.

  134. Six people standing
    NACE September 2021 Quick Poll: Racial Injustice Follow Up

    In a follow up to its August 2020 quick poll, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is polling employers and career services professionals on their efforts to address racial injustice in their practices and operations. Results are available in real time.

  135. Image of people standing
    Quick Poll Preliminary Results: More Than Half of Career Centers Have Instituted New DEI PD

    To address and better understand racial injustice and the needs of historically marginalized groups, career centers are providing more professional development for their staff.

  136. Person looking at phone and laptop
    Average Salary for Master’s Level Computer Science Grads Nears $100,000

    starting salary; compensation; master’s degree; doctoral degree; advanced degree; first destination; Class of 2020; Salary Survey

  137. Person with hands around paper figures
    Quick Poll on Racial Injustice: Preliminary Results Show Much Work Remains

    At this early juncture in NACE’s current quick poll, it seems that there is still progress for employers to make in addressing racial injustice and the needs of historically marginalized groups.

  138. Four students smiling
    Preliminary Poll Results Show Pace of Funding for Recruiting, Serving Marginalized Groups

    URR functions and career services operations have received increased funding and resources to address racial injustice and the needs of historically marginalized groups, just at different paces.

  139. person looking at a computer
    Virtual Recruiting Offers Path to Equity in Hiring for Full-Time Jobs and Internships

    Virtual recruiting provides a better job-search experience for historically marginalized populations than in-person recruiting, according to results of the NACE 2021 Student Survey.

  140. three people looking at a laptop screen
    Salary Is Job Offer Tie Breaker for Class of 2021

    Does salary matter to graduates from the college Class of 2021? No … and yes, according to students responding to NACE’s 2021 Student Survey.

  141. person typing on a laptop
    Employer Hiring Plans Jump for Class of 2022 Graduates

    Employers plan to hire 26.6% more new graduates from the Class of 2022 than they did from the Class of 2021, which is in line with job opening trends in general.

  142. image of employee benefits
    Students Seek Financial and Insurance Benefits

    College students want their employers to provide financial and insurance benefits, according to results of the NACE 2021 Student Survey.

  143. People standing
    Problem-solving Skills Top Attributes Employers Seek on Resumes

    Employers report that they look at resumes for evidence the candidate has problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and the ability to work in a team.

  144. two people taking notes
    Competencies: Employers Weigh Importance Versus New Grad Proficiency

    Career services offices should provide programming and resources to help boost students’ proficiency in critical thinking, communication, and professionalism.

  145. Abstract image
    Salary Projections for Class of 2022 Bachelor’s Grads a Mixed Bag

    Average starting salary projections for the Class of 2022 range from an increase of 5.4% to a decrease of 14.8%.

  146. three people around a table
    Internship Experience the Most Influential Factor in Tough Hiring Decisions

    When choosing between two otherwise equally qualified candidates, employers deem having internship experience—with the organization or within its industry—to be the most influential factors.

  147. person looking at a laptop screen
    Use of GPA as Candidate Selection Tool Falls

    GPA—once widely used to identify potential candidates for jobs—is now used by fewer than half of employers, according to the results of the Job Outlook 2022 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

  148. group at a table discussing some documents
    Recruiters and Students Have Differing Perceptions of New Grad Proficiency in Competencies

    New graduates and their potential employers can agree on which skills are most important for job candidates, but differ on how proficient new graduates are in those abilities.

  149. Two women and two men standing
    Gender Pay Gap Extends Much Farther Than Current Paycheck

    There are many factors that contribute to the gender pay gap and severe consequences of long-term inequity in pay.

  150. Computer screen with word career
    College Hiring Surges With 31.6% Increase

    College hiring continues to surge as employers plan to hire 31.6% more new college graduates from the Class of 2022 than they hired from the Class of 2021.

  151. The New Workplace: Approximately 40% of Positions Operate in a Hybrid Modality

    Many employers plan to operate in a hybrid modality, blending in-person and remote work to give their employees and new hires the best of both worlds.

  152. Students in Classroom
    Required Course in Final Semester Yields High FDS Knowledge Rate for Auburn

    Auburn University’s high knowledge rates on its recent first-destination surveys is driven by the survey being part of a course all students are required to take.

  153. Line graph over top of people working
    Fall 2022 College Hiring Expected to Be Strong

    Fall 2022 recruiting looks extremely positive as almost 90% of employers report that they will be hiring for both full-time and intern/co-op positions at that time.