Marquette's graduating class of 2005 will face a friendlier job market than previous classes, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

The survey found college hiring will increase an estimated 13 percent as this year's seniors enter the workforce, The Associated Press reported. The increase could be due to various factors, according to Andrea Koncz, an employment information manager at the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

"The improving economy and company growth means companies have more opportunities for college employment," Koncz said.

The organization's study was published in its Job Outlook 2005 report. The study was conducted by interviewing all of the organization's employer members.

Koncz said 254 out of 1,040 employers returned the mailed survey which inquired about their companies' plans for hiring recent college graduates.

Maryann Desaulniers, assistant director and a counselor at Marquette's Career Services Center, said Marquette has seen evidence of increased hiring for the upcoming class through employer attendance at the university's career fair. She said there has been a steady increase in the number of employers attending over the past two years.

"We were up about five companies this year at the fair," she said. "This year we had 102, last year we had 97 and the year before we had 83."

The survey's findings showed that four out of five employers called the job market for new graduates good, The Associated Press reported.

The study found that accounting is currently the most in-demand field among corporations. However, Desaulniers said employers attending this year's career fair were searching for a variety of majors.

"We had a really nice spread of employers at the fair," Desaulniers said. "Usually most companies are looking for business majors, accounting and finance."

Graduating seniors are optimistic about their possibilities for success in the workforce in light of the survey's findings.

"I'm pretty confident that I'll find a job," said Andy Brodzeller, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. Brodzeller plans to pursue a career in public relations or advertising. He said he still has reservations about the competitive nature of the fields.

"I feel like there are opportunities out there," he said. "It's more of a question of what it's going to be."

Desaulniers believes some students have become confident in their own abilities to secure jobs, which has led to fewer students at Marquette's career fairs.

She stressed students are making connections through internships and co-ops that reduce their need to attend the fair.

"Over 75 percent of jobs are gotten through networking," she said. "Internships are a good way to network."

While the job market looks encouraging to some Marquette seniors, others have more work to do before entering the workforce.

Megan Schmitt, a senior in the College of Health Sciences, is in the process of applying to medical schools. She said she will take the job search one step at a time, but the recent findings are heartening.

"I'm pretty confident that if I go through and complete my medical degree, I'll be able to apply it in an occupational setting," she said.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Dec. 2 2004.