This past weekend, the commencement ceremonies at several Nebraska Universities sent off a new class of graduates with best wishes and a framed diploma, ready for job hunting and finding the path to their eventual career.

Amidst the excitement and happiness surrounding the completion of four (or two, or one) years of rigorous study in Nebraska, many grads are searching for where they will spend the next chapter of their lives. In a few weeks, high school graduates will do the same–regardless of whether or not they choose to continue their education in a technical or community college, university, or on the job in a profession.

Luckily for this new group of fresh-faced grads, the the increase in job postings and job offers for graduates in 2014, a reassuring thought for anyone beating down the job boards. Creighton University Career Center senior director Jim Bretl reports more postings on the Jobs for Jays website, and particularly well-attended career fairs. For those interested in institutions such as University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University, both schools report that over 50% of students are employed after graduation (53% at UNL, 55% at Creighton).

This percentage does not include graduate or professional school candidates, or the option of a volunteer program: something that’s becoming a more popular choice with high school as well as college students. This year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln even added a job fair for nonprofit organizations and government jobs, options that students are becoming more and more interested in.

Whether students are looking for a skilled trade for the wide variety of jobs available in manufacturing, or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field related to STEM skills and a promising future in a variety of careers, Nebraskans are lucky to have a variety of companies hiring students as interns and for full-time positions.

And for those wondering what employers want? Well, the Herald reports that the ability to analyze quantitative data, work in a team structure, make decisions and solve problems, and plan, organize, and prioritize work are all valued highly as qualities of students that are most likely to be hired.

Even more important than these qualities for a successful job hunt are internships, says Bretl. For companies such as ConAgra foods that hire consistently from college campuses, having an internship within the organization can be valuable when it comes time to apply for jobs. ConAgra fills about 100 positions a year with recent graduates, and hires approximately 200 interns each year, spokeswoman Barbara Bellinghausen tells the .

For both high school graduates as well as college and technical school graduates, NeMAC is here to help all students learn about the field they might be interested in. Engineering, manufacturing, science, math: There are jobs out there waiting to be filled, and Nebraska is the perfect place to train and sharpen the necessary skills to attain those! On our website, make sure to check out the jobs and internships currently available, or read a little more about our partners in education with programs designed to help students fill the skills gap. To tour (virtually) some exciting spots in the manufacturing industry, check out the Industry Tours page.

Congratulations to all graduates, and best of luck finding a career that you love.

—

Photo credit: