jan 31, 2013
thursday Men’s Basketball vs. AFA, page 7.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
WWW.DAILYAZTEC.COM
VOLUME 99, ISSUE 63
Salaries increasing for new graduates
national David Hernandez Staff Writer
Starting salaries for graduates of the class of 2012 have increased 3.4 percent from the salaries of college graduates in 2011. The latest research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers reveals 2012 graduates boast an average salary of $44,455, compared to the average salary of $42,987 for 2011 graduates. According to Forbes Magazine, the NACE survey reports computer engineers are earning the highest pay, topping the list at $70,400, followed by chemical engineers at $66,400 and computer scientists at $64,400. While engineering majors are the top earning among broad disciplines, with a $61,913 average salary, earnings have increased across all categories of majors. Education majors saw the highest salary increase (5.4 percent), trailed by business (4.2 percent) and communications (4.1 percent). SDSU Career Services Director James Tarbox attributes the increase in salaries to the recovering economy, which he believes allows greater competition among employers for graduates. “We’ve had a lot more employers coming onto campus, interviewing students and making offers,” Tarbox said. From Fall 2011 to Fall 2012, there was a 28 percent increase of on-campus interviews, he added. For San Diego State graduates, the
Super Bowl XLVII preview: Ravens versus 49ers super bowl Logan Burns Staff Writer
National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a survey that revealed 2012 graduates are making more money than 2011 graduates.
mean reported salary for bachelor’s degrees increased 2.8 percent, from $40,080 to $41,215 for May and August 2012 graduates, according to SDSU’s Undergraduate Outcomes Survey. Tarbox is cautious when looking at the report from NACE because of its new database, which now collects salary information from employers, excluding universities across the country, such as SDSU. “NACE used to be pretty much aligned with what we we’re doing,
especially because we were contributing,” Tarbox said. Regarding recent reports, Tarbox said he notices a greater disparity of salary data between SDSU and NACE. However, Tarbox believes students can receive the greatest salary possible by negotiating, using salary data from various sources as a tool. “One of the great things about working with a college populations, especially as they search for jobs and negotiate salaries, is that they un-
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derstand that what they see in print might not be what they get, or they can get more than what they see in print,” Tarbox said. “So they need to use it as a negotiation tool.” While the NACE data is grounded on employer-based data of approximately 400,000 employers, SDSU’s figures are based on student survey information self-reported approximately a month before graduation to a month after. Both surveys are based on the salaries of bachelor’s degrees.
Workability IV program offers students help Declan Desmond Staff Writer
In an economy where jobs are scarce, life after college is a worrisome prospect for students eager to find careers. This is especially true of students with disabilities, who face their own unique challenges not only in school but also in the workforce. With Workability IV, a California grant program, San Diego State’s Career Services has been working since 1993 to reach out to these students and prepare them for careers in their chosen fields. For the past four years SDSU has led the state in job placement for graduates with disabilities. Despite these accomplishments, enrollment in the program is decreasing.
“It’s falling and that was a concern to me,” Career Services Director Dr. James Tarbox said. Though referrals of eligible students from Student Disability Services once kept Workability IV busy, Tarbox said, participation in the service has declined in interest. “I think that for any number of reasons that awareness has fallen off,” he added. Tarbox cited low visibility at student orientations as a factor. “Workability IV is probably 1/18 of a huge presentation” which comes “usually at the end,” he said. He hopes to integrate the program more effectively in future presentations. SDS internship specialist Jeanette Meliska-Romero, who helps disabled undergraduates plan careers,
said that many potential clients get caught up in campus life and aren’t aware of the help available. “They just want to focus on their school and they don’t want to think about their career until maybe they’re a second-semester senior and they’re getting ready to graduate,” she said. One step that Career Services has taken to raise awareness of the program is teaming with the Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs, which works with first-generation American students. “A lot of students who go through EOP are diagnosed with disabilities as well,” Meliska-Romero said. It is hoped that this partnership will increase referrals to the office. Business administration senior
Joseph Silva, who participates in the program, said that its services have enhanced his college experience and prepared him for graduation. “I’ve gotten a lot more out of college other than going to class and passing my exams to get my degree,” he said of his time with Workability IV. Silva noted that counselors have helped him write résumés, develop interview skills, and practice speaking. Meliska-Romero said that students who suspect they may suffer from a disability should visit SDS for testing, as they could be eligible for the program. Workability IV currently serves more than 200 undergraduates.
Tornados and gun violence storm the U.S. Tara Millspaugh News Editor
Tornado strikes Georgia Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for Bartow and Gordon counties after a tornado ripped through Adairsville, Ga. yesterday as part of a 1,000-mile storm system that passed through several communities in the northwestern region of the state. Winds littered Interstate 75 with de-
bris and overturned vehicles, forcing the shutdown of 10 miles on the highway. CNN reported at least 17 people were injured during the storm. CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said after a person in Adairsville died because of a building collapsing, this marked the first death caused by a U.S. tornado in a record 220 days. Teacher donates kidney After being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, a father of two was offered
a kidney donation from a woman he didn’t know. Yahoo News reported that Buffy Sexton, a seventh-gradescience teacher from Kentucky saw a Facebook post from Tina Desmond, pleading for a kidney donor for her husband, John. Sexton tested positive as a match and will donate her kidney to John. Sexton will be in recovery for approximately a month, but surgeons will record the procedure so the teacher can use it as a lesson when she re-
turns to class. Gun Violence USA Today reported a 70-year-old man opened fire in a Phoenix office building yesterday. The suspect shot three people, one of whom was killed as a result. This shooting took place the same day members of Congress were discussing gun violence. Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords; who was shot in Tuscon, Ariz. two years ago at a supermarket, was present at the Washington meeting.
Offense: 49ers: Many experts were skeptical two months ago when San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a quarterback change from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick. They had good reason to be. Smith had led the team to a 62-1 record this season and had the best quarterback rating in the NFL until Week 10. A concussion sidelined him until he was cleared, but Kaepernick’s dazzling performance in Week 10 kept Smith on the sideline for the remainder of the season. With Kaepernick, the 49ers are 7-2, in the Super Bowl and looking like a more dynamic team each and every week. Harbaugh’s gutsy decision to start Kaepernick has paid off thus far. Others are benefitting from Kaepernick’s play as well. Running back Frank Gore is averaging more yards per carry and wide receiver Michael Crabtree is flourishing. Ravens: The offensive headlines for the Baltimore Ravens this postseason have revolved around the emergence of quarterback Joe Flacco as an “elite” player. Many have questioned his performances throughout his five regular seasons, but there is no question the man shows up in the playoffs. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to win a postseason game in each of his first five seasons. A miracle 70-yard touchdown throw to Jacoby Jones late in the game against Denver in the divisional round and an impeccable performance against golden boy Tom Brady have been the landmark moments in a good post season so far for Flacco. Edge: 49ers
SUPER BOWL continued on page 7