New grads likely to find tough job market in Indiana

More recruiters conducted more interviews on some Indiana campuses this year, but the job market remains tough for recent college graduates.\nA recent report based on a survey of 1,170 employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed companies plan to hire 39,000 graduates, about the same as last year.\nBut the Midwest, which includes Indiana and 11 other states, is the only region in which employers expect to hire fewer grads -- 12,900, or 4.2 percent fewer than last year.\n"It's going to continue to be a tough market for the next 12 months," Patrick Kiely, president of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, told The Indianapolis Star. "Graduates are going to have to be patient."\nKiely said new grads may also be at a disadvantage because employers can hire workers with several years' experience who are already in the job market.\nLarry S. Beck, associate director at Ball State University's Career Center, said students can find a job if they look hard enough -- though it may not be an ideal job.\n"It boils down to the flexibility of students, if they're willing to look at the whole of what's available, including out-of-state jobs," he said.\nThe undergraduate career services office at IU's Kelley School of Business reported 321 companies recruited on campus this school year, up 13 percent from last year.\nInterviews were up this year, too, by about 10 percent, to 12,800.\n"In this market, I'm pleased," said Susie Clark, career services director. "But it's still soft. I know there are still students out there struggling."\nAt Purdue University, the Center for Career Opportunities hosted 451 employers, up slightly from 448 last year.\nThose recruiters conducted 11,217 interviews, down from 13,642 last year.