KEY POINTS:
While there's no such thing as a guaranteed job for university students, there are certainly some graduates who are being snapped up as the end of the academic year approaches.
Those with degrees in engineering, food technology, law, business and finance are in hot demand.
Plus the shortages
of teachers, nurses and doctors has been well publicised.
Graduates who have studied information technology, environmental science, resource planning and general sciences are sought after this year, as are quantity surveyors, marine scientists, and speech and language therapists.
An arts major who can write and communicate also has good prospects.
The university programmes which provide graduates with opportunities to walk straight into a job are cyclical, says Trish Fleetwood, a career adviser at Massey University's Auckland campus.
"There is no such thing as a guaranteed job. You might have the best grades and the best degree in the world, but it is the whole package that the employers want," Fleetwood says.
"Employers in New Zealand have clearly stated that they prize strong communication skills, skills in analysing and presenting information, people who can solve problems and who can find new and better ways to do things.
"These are some of the skills and abilities that all grads have a chance to develop and their importance in successfully gaining employment after graduation cannot be over-emphasised," Fleetwood says.
Students who have managed to secure relevant work experience while studying tend to find securing a position a little easier.
By the time a student graduates with an engineering degree from the University of Auckland, they have 800 hours of practical work experience on their CV.
There are a number of new internships in IT, Fleetwood says. In this way, students can get some paid on-the-job knowledge in the university holidays and perhaps establish relationships that could eventually lead to a job opportunity.
"Employers have a part to play in addressing the recruitment shortages that they face," Fleetwood says.
One way to assist tertiary students and increase the numbers enrolled in specific courses is to offer scholarships or bonded internships.
"We react to what the market wants, but students are attracted to the sexy degrees as opposed to ones where there may be real demand from employers," Fleetwood says.
People often study subjects which do not lead to a vocational degree. So they have to be a little more flexible about what they are going to do with their degrees.
"All university graduates have the chance to develop skills in problem solving, presenting information and analysing information," Fleetwood says.
She advises students to be responsible for their career planning, to be aware of changes in their chosen industry and work prospects, and to keep up with current events and emerging opportunities.
"Get your degree and be optimistic, but be responsible for your own career planning - you just don't know what is out there," Fleetwood says.
While she has noticed that more employers are now recruiting online, rather than attending face-to-face presentations, the situation is different at the University of Auckland.
Earlier this year 65 engineering companies attended the university's engineering careers fair, including some from Australia.
It is a sign of the shortage of qualified engineers and good news for final-year engineering students.
The university's engineering employment manager, Kevin Healey, says the shortage is worldwide.
Recruitment in the engineering faculty begins in March and continues through April to June and employers work closely with the faculty to profile their businesses and meet students.
Other careers fairs organised by the university have highlighted competitive situations for employers. In this environment, some students have multiple job offers to consider.
One interesting aspect of the situation this year has been that students are increasingly visiting the careers office to research potential employers, says Gillian Reynolds, senior careers consultant at the University of Auckland Careers Service.
They are looking for evidence of corporate responsibility and environmental management.
"Students want to contribute their energy and skills to firms who are working with long-term planning and environmental sustainability. You can have a business in any sector that has thought these through," she says.
The current worldwide financial turmoil is something which may be on the minds of some graduates.
"My belief is that young grads are bright, innovative, and great problem solvers and relatively inexpensive, so in the long term I am optimistic for them," Reynolds says.
"We have had strong demand for our graduates because they come equipped with an ability to learn, knowledge of the newest technologies, and are used to thinking in ways that are across disciplines.
"Future economic development is fuelled by research and innovation so university study is a very smart choice."