WRS2K,

Isano is responding from the perspective of a Rice grad and Rice grads are aggressively recruited by the consulting firms he listed. I graduated from Rice in '99 and it was pretty much a given that those types of jobs would be available to many different majors, not just econ.

 

Consulting firms in general have higher starting salaries than working as an engineer. (Exceptions are Computer Science majors) I have done recruiting for the company I work for and in general, people are less interested in what major you have. They are more interested in what motivates you and how well you have done in the past. You can be an ECON only major and still get paid more than an engineer. I found this to be a bit disappointing as well but that's reality.

Insano

 

That's how much I make with a high school diploma and I don't live in California.

 

F20C-

Wahoo Let's let em know all the fame and fortune is not in California (hold back for the flames)

RSA FC2001 GLclub <--secret code

 

The Big 5 aggressively recruit from the business program here at the University of Washington as well. However, this year, Accenture, Deloitte Consulting, PwC, E&Y, KPMG and Andersen merely made "showings" at the school just to maintain their presence. I'm curious as to how recruiting's going in the other schools.

All in all, the conditions of last year's recruiting does not apply to this year's recruiting. It's an entirely different ball game. That is, if a game still exists now.

 

My bro is I.E. He works down south for big tobacco - they pay more, moral issues and stuff. After college at Case Western and and co-op-ing, he went to clorox for about 38K. 1 year later to DIAL soap in Chicago for about 50K. Then 1 year later to big tobacco for 60K. Average 10K/year raise so far x 3 years equals roughly high 90's at age 29. Not bad. His wife is Chem E at same plant, 3 years out of school, 60K. But remember, big tobacco=sell your soul to the devil for the almighty green back.

My econ friends have not fared so well. It is difficult for a non-top-5 school grad (99% of people) to get consulting positions with good firms. I think the average school grad with an average job will start at 30K, maybe less, adjust for cost of living. Having said that, the economy is in the crapper, and I am glad I am not a fresh college grad looking for a job now (or soon).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by paS2K
[B]F20C-

Wahoo

 

Getting a job this year is going to be tougher than the last few years. Actually, its a great opportunity for companies that are not cash strapped to get good talent at a relatively low price. If you are an engineer, you can still get a good paying job this year. Just not in consulting.

My experience is that starting salaries for jobs never go down. Instead, companies just hire fewer people. For instance, my company is still offering more for new hires this year than they did for last year's new hires. Companies that are smart don't sacrifice their future because there is an economic slump.

I think the game is still the same. People that are good will get the best jobs. No matter where you graduated from or what your major was.

Kaptain Insano

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WRS2K
[B]

 

Perhaps my connections had standard-of-living considerations in mind. 60K-75K in NYC doesn't go nearly as far as it would in, say, Seattle.
Enough said.