Job outlook for the class of 2011

GREEN BAY - College classes around the country are just starting up, but if this year's seniors want full-time employment after graduation, they may need to start working on their job search now.

"In some cases it can take anywhere from eight weeks to three months for a position to be filled," said Linda Peacock-Landrum, director of Career Services at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay . "So a December graduate should actively be looking right now if not have already started. And a May graduate, depending upon their field or industry, may have to start right now."

The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently did a survey and found employers anticipate hiring 13.5% more college graduates from the class of 2011, than they hired from the class of 2010.

"I'm really hoping that that's the case," said UWGB senior Ashley Kuen. "Because it definitely would be nice to make a good amount of money, especially with how much it is to go to school and all that."

"My suspicion is the reason why it is probably going to be up is because people have been cautious for the last year and a half, two years. There hasn't been a widespread hiring. We've seen some increases on our campus, meaning more job postings than this time last year," said Peacock-Landrum.

However, the organization that did the survey points out in a news release: "This is positive news, but it is important to understand the data in context. While the overall hiring projection is positive, less than half of those surveyed anticipate an actual increase in hiring."

"I graduate in December, which means more pressure for me," said UWGB senior Dana Hegg. "Honestly I am kind of nervous about it because i'm not exactly sure what I would like to do yet, so I have to start looking soon."

According to experts, the sooner, the better.

UWGB is hosting a job fair at the end of the month, which is open to the public. School officials say it is too soon to tell if the number of employers presenting at the fair is up from last year.