What Will You Earn When You Graduate?
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You probably know students who say that they do not care what they earn, as long as they are doing something they love. However, you also know that money matters. When you graduate and start working, the money you earn is what you will live on and pay your bills with.



How much money will you need each month to live the life that you would like? What would your life be like if your earned $1000, $2000, $3000, $4000, $5000 or $6000 a month? Each increment makes a huge difference. At what salary level could you live on your own, pay back college loans, buy a car and have money to spend on social activities? Remember, you may not receive the full amount because taxes and contributions are usually taken out.



In the lower paying jobs, it is not likely that your employer will provide medical insurance and retirement benefits. That means that if you get sick, you are likely to have a financial problem and your retirement may be in jeopardy. Also, saving money will be nearly impossible, as expenses outstrip income. Therefore, emergencies will put you into debt.



The time to think about all of that is now. If you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, there is time for you to strengthen your credentials so you can compete for the jobs that pay well and include a benefits package. Seniors are running out of time and should address at least one issue that will make them more attractive to the better paying employers.



Factors that affect the amount of money that you may be offered:



1. The College You Attend – Every college has a reputation, some better than others. Also, within each college, some departments have reputations for producing exceptional talent. Therefore, the best employers will gravitate to the colleges and departments that have good reputations in the areas where they need to hire students. When students attend colleges that have a good reputation in their fields of interest, they stand a good chance of being recruited by one or more employers. On your first trip to any college, you should ask for the names of the employers that visit the campus to recruit students with your major. The answers you receive will tell you something about the demand for your major and the college’s reputation in your area of interest.



2. Your Major – Before you select your major, go online to see what the jobs in your field of interest typically pay people just starting out. Technical areas (A variety of Engineering and Computer Science majors, along with most other Sciences and Math, etc.) usually pay the most with Business Finance majors closely following. These are the majors that are both in demand and pay well. Majors such as Religion, Theater, Philosophy, Communication, Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Culinary Arts, Recreation, Athletic Training, Art & Art History, Paralegal and Archaeology tend to pay people at the lower end of the scale and have an overabundance of candidates applying for each opening. Wise students do some research and choose a major with their eyes wide open.



3. The Grades You Earn – Students with good grades will usually be more in demand than students who have average to below average grades. Good grades will help employers determine who will be interviewed and who will be ignored. In many cases, employers have minimum grade requirements, often a “B” or better. Grades are a quick way for employers to narrow down the number of candidates.



4. Your Work Performance (Internships, Part-Time and Summer Jobs) – Experience on the job is extremely important to the best employers. They know that grades alone do not guarantee a good and productive employee. The best way to judge a student’s ability is to have them perform the job. That is why work experience matters. In fact, students with average grades and exceptional on-the-job performance can often be more attractive to employers than candidates with good grades but no practical experience. Employers want more than just book smarts.



5. Your Accomplishments and Successes – Employers seek students who get difficult things done. Your performance in the classroom, in campus activities, on the job, in the community and in your leisure activities will provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your capabilities. If you do not participate, how will you show employers what you can do? Every candidate is expected to have a list of significant achievements that clearly demonstrate student capabilities and potential. The best candidates are prepared with a few interesting stories and poignant examples.



6. Your Communication and Leadership Skills – Employers know that the most successful employees are great communicators. They speak properly and have a broad vocabulary. They also read, write, spell, present, sell and negotiate with confidence. Additionally, every employer can benefit when employees have effective leadership skills. That is why employers will always check to see whether a student has successfully demonstrated his/her leadership skills while in college.



7. What Others Say About You – The best employers will thoroughly check your references and talk with the people who know you best. They expect others to provide detailed examples of your capabilities and potential. Employers know that Professors, Employers and Community Leaders will not put their reputations on the line for someone who has let them down or failed to perform at the highest level. When well-known, highly respected professionals rave about you and your capabilities and accomplishments, employers will listen carefully.



Students who pay close attention to these seven factors and carry them out with skill and enthusiasm are very likely to impress even the most demanding employers. These same students will put themselves in a position to receive multiple job offers and starting salaries that are at the higher levels of the range.



What will you earn when you graduate?