03:14 PM EDT on Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Frank the Moderator: Greetings everyone. Thanks for joining us today for our business chat. Today at 2 p.m. John Kostrzewa will log on to answer questions about the job market college graduates face; which majors are hot, and which are not. Free feel to submit your questions early.

Frank the Moderator: Just a note -- if anyone has a problem posting a question, email the question to fcarneva@projo.com and I'll post it for you.
Thanks.

techboy: Technology majors were the hot area in the 1990s. How about now? Are people hiring technology students?
John Kostrzewa : You're right. Tech majors were red hot during the dot.com boom in the late 1990s. Many college seniors were offered signing bonuses by employers. The tech area went almost stone cold a few years ago when companies pulled back but now it's starting to rebound again. College administrators say they are starting to see more recruiters on campus looking for technology majors. Some of the work done by software programmers and management information system workers has been shipped offshore. So there may be less work in those areas for college graduates.

fctalk: John -- what should liberal arts students be thinking in this job market. When I was at school, the thinking was (although even then it was being re-thought) that get a good well-rounded education and the jobs will come. Is this a good tack for a student, these days?
John Kostrzewa: This Spring, college administrators are reporting that business majors are in stronger demand than the liberal arts majors. But I agree with you _ a solid, well-rounded education that provides you with good communications skills and the ability to solve problems is highly-valued by employers. I just heard a story from a guidance counselor that an investment bank on Wall Street wanted to talk to English majors who had done some traveling. They wanted people who could think on their feet and were looking for liberal arts students. I think as the economy picks up there will be opportunities in all areas.

fctalk: What are employers looking for? A certain school name, or GPA, or intership experience?
John Kostrzewa: Anything that seperates you from the pack of other job candidates will help. Job experience is important. Many employers want to see that you have performed in the workplace. An internship in your area of expertise can help with that. A big school name may or may not help. You still have to have the background and skills an employer is looking for, no matter what the school name. A solid GPA means to many employers that you have buckled down and been diligent with your schoolwork. They often use that as one measurement of how you would perform in the workplace.

srowen3232: what is the outlook for jobs for general business administration majors
John Kostrzewa: This is the best outlook for business administration majors in several years, according to college guidance counselors. As companies expand as the economy grows, they will be looking for many candidates to fill management positions. A solid general business administration major will put you in position for interviews with many recruiters this spring.

fctalk: John -- want about health industry careers? Are there parts of the country more in need for this field?
John Kostrzewa : Health care administrators and workers are in strong demand. Many companies are seeing the aging of the population and the retirement of the baby boomers and are realizing they will need many workers to service those people. The Northeast has always been a hot area for health care careeers, especially the Boston and Providence areas because of the concentrations of medical facilities and health care providers. One of strongest job growth areas in Rhode Island right now is health care.

fctalk: What about advanced degrees? Do MBAs and other graduate degrees help in a job search? Or do you think they work in your favor, once you already established your career. A mid-career move, rather than an early career move? Thoughts?
John Kostrzewa: Yes. Advanced degrees such as MBAs can help in a job search and I've seen the advantage in both cases - the student who continues on right after receiving an undergraduate degree and after a mid-career change. There are also many people that now take some time off after receiving their bachelor's degree. They travel or work to pay off the bills. That can lead to real-life experiences that employers are looking for during the recruitment process. There is really no direct career track to follow with advanced degrees. You have to be comfortable with the timing of when you want the degree.

fctalk: How does one go about making contacts in their given field?
John Kostrzewa: For college students, most schools have very good career placement offices that keep track of recruiters and which companies are looking for workers. They have contact lists. If you want to do some networking, there are many professional groups that meet regulaly, such as once a month. Most newspapers, such as the Providence Journal, post a listing of when the clubs are meeting. The Journal runs its list in the Sunday Business Section.

srowen3232: In your opinion, is a General Business Administration degree too general or is a degree in Finance or accounting more desirable to employers.
John Kostrzewa: Accounting is the red hot area this Spring because of the changes to federal reporting requirements for companies. The Big Four accounting firms are sending many recruiters to college campuses looking for job candidates. Finance is also a solid area right now. Your course of study really depends on what you want to do. I wouldn't pick a major because you think a job may be available after the degree and you really are not passionate about that type of work.

Frank the Moderator: What news is the Journal business department covering this weekend
John Kostrzewa: There are two proposals for Liquiifid Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in the region in Fall River Mass., and Fields Point Providence. We'll have a report on the federal officials who will make the decision. I hope to write about Rhode Island's first quarter jobs report and how future jobs may be created. Thanks for all the great questions this week. I enjoyed the chat. See you soon. .