As job opportunities rise, there is good news for graduating students who are looking for a job in the midst of the bad economy.

A recent National Association of Colleges and Employers survey shows that the economy is slowly rising as salary offers are up 15.9 percent and hiring scale is up 19.3 percent. This survey, however, applies to a national perspective, and Melissa Medlin, director of Career Planning and Development, warns that it is not as easy as it looks to get a job soon after graduation.

“We are seeing some activity,” said Medlin. “That doesn’t mean that competition is not out there and students are looking for the ideal job.”

Students at UNA have many opportunities that help prepare them for finding jobs in various fields of study. UNA’s career planning system provides students with career guides, mock interviews, Lion Jobs and other events to help promote job seeking for students.

Medlin also notes that experience is a critical factor that employers look for when hiring individuals. She said that those who have worked one or more part-time jobs before graduation know the necessities of being a well-developed employee, which is taken seriously by employers.

“It depends on what field [the job is in], but employers want to get their hands on experience,” Medlin said. “Even if you had a job that is unrelated to your major is enough to be hired.”

Some students at UNA have no trouble understanding this, and each individual has some experience in one form or another, employed or unemployed.

Randy Wells, a UNA senior, has two jobs with Blockbuster and Google and is looking for a career in the area of computers. Experience as a help desk assistant or PC support technician may help him in reaching his ultimate goals.

“The field of technology is always in a boom,” Wells said. “It’s never recessive because it’s always expanding and they need more people to fix it.”

Jake Tyler, an undergraduate senior at UNA, is applying for a grounds man job at Earl Trent campsite for the summer. With the added experience he received through a community college part-time job in the same frontier, Tyler feels that it will truly benefit his opportunity for receiving a job in this area.

“I have experience in a lot of things, so it will help me,” Tyler said.

The NACE survey also seems to give those who are not yet ready to graduate hope, as it shows that time is still available for the economy to improve and provide other opportunities for the future.

“I’m glad that I am not [graduating] right now because it gives me more time to wait until the economy gets better,” Tyler said.

Although the results are promising for students this year, Medlin reminds students that they need to put in the effort of truly seeking a career after college.

“You don’t get a job when you walk on stage,” said Medlin. “You get a diploma.”