College graduates seeking jobs in 1988 face a tough, competitive market despite optimistic forecasts from a Northwestern University survey.

“The job market is open to college graduates, but it is tight,” said Jean Callary, recruiting coordinator for NIU’s Career Planning and Placement Center.

The study, titled The Northwestern Lindquist-Endicott Report, found that employers at 226 national companies will hire 10 percent more graduates and pay them about 4 percent more in 1988 than in 1987.

The survey was conducted after the stock market drop of Oct. 19, 1987. The survey found the stock market had little effect on the projected hiring policies of employers, and the economy is doing well.

The report also stated 56 percent of the corporations expect business to improve, and only 2 percent expect business to decline in 1988.

But Callary believes the findings of the report may be too optimistic.

“Don’t interpret the study to mean more jobs are available,” he said. “The stock market drop had a hidden impact because companies that had already scheduled campus visits continued to interview. However, this does not mean they are hiring,” Callary said.

Joan Greening, assistant director of NIU’s Career Planning and Placement Center, cautions that while Northwestern’s report is generally accurate, it is the result of opinions of corporate personnel executives.

College majors in greatest demand are those in the fields of math and engineering. The survey indicates engineering is the highest paying field.

The survey also projected an increase in demand for liberal arts majors.

“Many companies offer training programs, and liberal arts graduates fit well into these programs,” Greening said.

Callary said, “Companies want people with good writing, research and communication skills. Entry-level training programs often seek college graduates with no particular job skills but who have the potential for understanding issues related to the problem and finding the answers.”

The survey also found 85 percent of the companies surveyed plan to test new employees for drug use.

Greening said she uses the report to anticipate general trends in employment.