2008 Woodie Awards
STAFF EDITORIAL: Semester graduates to face real world expenses
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Opinion
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As the semester nears an end and a new crop of cornhuskers are about to graduate to the real world, it is time that students who have spent the better part of five years sheltered from the rat race of full-time employment, cubicles, health insurance, 401K's, social security and federal income tax, to begin thinking about such things.
Fortunately, for those who are about to graduate, they can expect a stronger job market than other recent graduates have seen in the past.
A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers has shown that companies are expecting to hire 17.4 percent more new college graduates this year then last year.
On top of that, most of these employers have starting salaries that will increase by 4.6 percent, several thousand-dollar signing bonuses, as well as looking to hire interns that have on-the-job experience.
While such benefits are a bonus for those looking for their first jobs, it is important that job seekers keep in mind some of the intangibles that many might be unaware of.
A recent article from The Associated Press showed that health care cost increases have outpaced pay increases during the past six years.
A study done by the advocacy group Families USA showed that from 2000-2006 the median income of Nebraskans rose 22 percent, while costs for health insurance premiums increased 70 percent on average.
On top of that, the group showed that even though Nebraskans are paying more for their health insurance, they're actually receiving less coverage.
For those unaccustomed to the costs of such things like health insurance, it is now time to brace yourself for the realization that such coverage - while necessary - has a yearly cost probably greater than the cost of the car you drive right now.
The increased costs of health insurance is just another example of how employers are beginning to shift a lot of their past burdens to the worker.
And while the first job that a college graduate gets is probably the hardest job to obtain, it is essential for workers to realize the significance of the benefits that are offered as well as the increased ancillary costs associated with such benefits.
We should all be happy that the job market has improved, but we should also all be mindful that our net income might not be as large as what the numbers say, and that will take college graduates some getting used to.
Fortunately, for those who are about to graduate, they can expect a stronger job market than other recent graduates have seen in the past.
A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers has shown that companies are expecting to hire 17.4 percent more new college graduates this year then last year.
On top of that, most of these employers have starting salaries that will increase by 4.6 percent, several thousand-dollar signing bonuses, as well as looking to hire interns that have on-the-job experience.
While such benefits are a bonus for those looking for their first jobs, it is important that job seekers keep in mind some of the intangibles that many might be unaware of.
A recent article from The Associated Press showed that health care cost increases have outpaced pay increases during the past six years.
A study done by the advocacy group Families USA showed that from 2000-2006 the median income of Nebraskans rose 22 percent, while costs for health insurance premiums increased 70 percent on average.
On top of that, the group showed that even though Nebraskans are paying more for their health insurance, they're actually receiving less coverage.
For those unaccustomed to the costs of such things like health insurance, it is now time to brace yourself for the realization that such coverage - while necessary - has a yearly cost probably greater than the cost of the car you drive right now.
The increased costs of health insurance is just another example of how employers are beginning to shift a lot of their past burdens to the worker.
And while the first job that a college graduate gets is probably the hardest job to obtain, it is essential for workers to realize the significance of the benefits that are offered as well as the increased ancillary costs associated with such benefits.
We should all be happy that the job market has improved, but we should also all be mindful that our net income might not be as large as what the numbers say, and that will take college graduates some getting used to.
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