<p>By Stephanie Armour, USA TODAY
Mon Nov 27, 6:55 AM ET</p>
<p>College graduates are experiencing the best job market in four years as a stronger economy leads more employers to ramp up hiring.</p>
<p>Employers expect to hire 17.4% more new college graduates in 2006 and 2007 than in 2005 and 2006, according to a new survey by the Bethlehem, Pa.-based National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).</p>
<p>Signing bonuses range from $1,000 to $10,000, with the average at $3,568. And employers reported plans to boost their starting salary offers by 4.6% over last year, nearly a full percentage point higher than increases for the classes of 2006 and 2005.</p>
<p>“This is the fourth year in a row that employers have predicted an increase in hiring,” says Andrea Koncz at NACE. “It really is because of the economy and more demand. Companies are growing.”</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<p>Companies are ramping up hiring. Accounting and tax firm KPMG typically hires about 2,500 new graduates, but they expect to boost that by about 10% in 2007. Manny Fernandez, national managing partner-campus recruiting, says competition for students is intensifying. Signing bonuses are being used in some markets, he says.</p>
<p>Some colleges and universities are also seeing more employers offering internship programs for current students: Employers extended job offers to more than 70% of their interns, according to a separate study by NACE. </p>
<p>At St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., students are landing internships at large companies such as General Mills.</p>
<p>“It’s optimistic,” says Sandy Amy, assistant director of internships in the center for experiential learning at St. Olaf. “They’re finding opportunities. (Internships) give them the background they need.”</p>
<p>Some soon-to-be graduates are finding they can be pickier about the jobs they accept and can take into account other priorities such as flexible work schedules or similar benefits.</p>
<p>Ashley Hall, 21, is graduating in May from Boston College with a B.A. in accounting and already has a full-time position lined up with KPMG. She earlier had an internship with the company and was drawn there in part because she says they value work-life balance.</p>
<p>“As long as you are willing to put in the effort to interview and network, there’s definitely a job market out there,” Hall says.</p>
<p>Stephanie Lee, 20, of Milwaukee, is a junior at Marquette University who has already gotten some contacts from potential employers. She expects to graduate in May 2008 with a major in information technology and marketing.</p>
<p>“The outlook for IT grads is going to be great. I get numerous e-mails from IT professors with opportunities,” Lee says. “It’s very positive.”</p>