Bright job picture for class of '98.

There is good news on the job market front for college graduates this year, according to the 27th annual Recruiting Trends survey conducted by Career Services and Placement at Michigan State University, East Lansing. "Employers are predicting a higher hiring outlook than a year ago, with 96.7% saying the market will be good to excellent, including job openings within their own industries," notes Patrick Scheetz, director of the university's Collegiate Employment Research Institute. "The larger the employer, the better the outlook for new hires."

Surveyed employers anticipate an increase of 27.5% in job prospects in 1998. Factors affecting the job market this year are a steady growth in the economy, low inflation, and very low unemployment.

For the first time in many years, the number of new bachelor's degree graduates will decline, by 1.2%, Scheetz indicates. "As the numbers of degrees go down, the market goes up, enhancing employment opportunities for new graduates."

Students with a variety of technological, communication, and leadership skills, as well as "real world" work experience, both stateside and abroad, will find themselves at the top of the prospect list among employers of...