Recent College Grads Need Long Term Vision and Stepping Stone for Career Success

As a major step between high school and the so-called "real world," the basic four-year college experience can go a long way toward helping one achieve his or her career goals. College students typically gain practical advice, basic knowledge, as well as some time management and critical thinking skills during their time on campus. Still, it should be known that job-seekers in all fields face a highly competitive employment environment, and for recent college grads, this means that obtaining that dream position or salary may be a number of years away. Notice we didn't say it would pay off immediately.

Finding a high-paying job right out of college is unlikely for most. The average starting salary for a college graduate in 2014 is expected to be around $40-45k annually. This comes from a recent report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. And, unfortunately, the average 2014 college grad will also carry around $34-35k in student loan debt along with their mortarboard and sheepskin when they leave campus. This takes a healthy bite out of their discretionary income.

There's more bad news. In the wake of the 2013 federal government shutdown and the passing of the Affordable Care Act, many businesses across the United States have remained hesitant to hire new employees. A number of those that are seeking to expand their payrolls are offering only part-time, contract, or temporary positions, none of which grant workers much in the way of long-term job security. Such is the job market with which prospective and recent college grads must contend—that is, unless they happen to stumble upon a great deal of luck.

But it's not all wine and roses for those who do find work right out of college. Some individuals inevitably find that they are unhappy with their first job out of college, yet are hesitant to leave—whether owing to feelings of embarrassment over not thriving in their current workplace or fears of being unable to find a new one.

The good news is that stepping out of college and into the job market doesn't have to be a lonely, unassisted process. Rather, with the help of a staffing firm, the recently-graduated job-seeker can get his or her foot in the door, embarking upon a career path that will pay off after a number of years of dedication and hard work.

Staffing firms understand the unique position of newly graduated job-seekers. They provide young job-seekers a wealth of resources to help make their transition into a career path as smooth as possible. Some of the most valuable offerings in this regard include highly individualized career counseling and computer training, both of which may be difficult to access in a crowded university setting. Furthermore, because staffing firms work closely with employers to ascertain their hiring needs, they are able to connect prospective hires with employers who will value their particular skill sets and personality traits—a huge stepping stone on the career path!

To be sure, the road to obtaining one's dream job or position can be a long and winding one. But with the help of a staffing firm, new college grads can get a head start on the journey by making the most of their early years in the business world.

This article is brought to you by Staffing Kansas City, a full-service Kansas City employment agency that provides contract-to-hire, direct hire and temporary placement services.