College Graduates Have Great Hiring Prospects This Year

If donning a very fashionable cap and gown, listening to lengthy commencement speeches and making it through a graduation party where the most common phrase is "Have you found a job yet?" sounds like a less than ideal way to end your college career, at least you have this to look forward to: 57 percent of employers say they plan to hire new college graduates, up from 53 percent last year and up significantly from 44 percent in 2010, according to a new CareerBuilder and CareerRookie.com study.

But if you're wondering why 100 percent of employers aren't frantically emailing you job offers, it's time to get wise about some of the hiring concerns related to recent grads. "Education plays a critical role in bridging the skills gap and fostering a capable and productive workforce," says Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. "The vast majority of employers feel that the skills and knowledge base students gain at academic institutions are aligned with their company needs, but nearly one in four sense a disconnect. As roles within organizations grow more complex and demand for certain degrees outpaces graduation rates, there is an opportunity for employers to work more closely with schools to help guide learning experiences for the next generation of workers."