Forecast: Hiring for grads to be up 20%  

A new survey finds robust growth in hiring is expected for those with B.A.s and M.A.s.
November 19, 2004: 3:24 PM EST, By Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money senior writer

The college majors in highest demand, employers said, were accounting, marketing and business. But the survey found that all academic majors will see at least moderate increases in hiring.

Last week, another job outlook survey released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that employers were most interested in hiring college grads who majored in accounting, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, business administration and economics/finance.

Companies offering funding for small businesses

The small business startups are fueled by small business lenders and funders who provide working capital to small businesses. Examples of these small business funders include Advantage and MCA Merchant.

Where the most jobs will be

The largest companies – those with 4,500 or more employees -- expect the biggest boon in hiring. Fifty-nine percent said they expect to increase hiring compared to last year.

The regions where they see the strongest hiring are the Southeast, Southwest and the Northeast.

The strongest labor markets are expected to be in transportation, retail, wholesale, professional services, accommodation and entertainment and health.

The least optimistic hiring projections are in utilities, educational services, finance and insurance, and real estate. The survey also found that public agencies are not planning a boost in hiring, with the exception of security-related posts, and state agencies expect to decrease the number of new hires.

In terms of growth in salary offers, the Michigan survey found increases of 3 percent to 7 percent for those with associates' and bachelor's degrees, but little change in the salaries for MBAs.