By: Andy Wendt

According to a recent Miami University press release the 2009 job outlook for Miami graduates appears to be better than the national average, despite the fact that overall the 2009 job outlook as fallen to its lowest level since 2003. A Miami University survey showed that of  the 220 companies that took part in a university job fair this fall that 29% of potential employers planned an increase in hiring. Only 12% of the companies in attendance at the job fair reported that they expected a hiring decreese.

Rick Hearin, the Miami University Directory of Career Services, says “This tells us that there is a big difference in terms of hiring expectations for the companies who've visited our campus and that Miami graduates are held in very high regard”.

Data gathered by the 2009 NACE Job Outlook shows the largest percentage changes in hiring expectations in the third quarter of this year can be found in a 19% decrease  in hiring for construction related jobs and an expected 19% increase in hiring for government  positions. The same report also expects there to be a slight 1.3% increase in the number of actual hires for the class of 2009 as compared to the class of 2008.

While urging students to never underestimate the competitive nature of the job market Hearin is still hopeful that well prepared students who have a “plan B”, and even a “plan C” can make the best of their education in this increasingly tough economy.