Students today pursue higher education primarily as a means to employment. But geographical location may affect how many internships and job opportunities there are for both students and recent grads, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.
To determine the best states for students and recent grads, WalletHub looked at the availability of paid internships and jobs for students, as well as the unemployment and underemployment rates of recent grads. Analysts at WalletHub used data from sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Institute for College Access & Success.
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According to their analysis, these are the states with the most opportunities for college students and recent grads:
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New York
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Missouri
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- Virginia
It’s no surprise that Massachusetts and New York—two states home to large cities—have ample employment opportunities for students and recent grads. But “it’s not always favorable to the cities,” explains Barmak Nassirian, director of federal policy with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. “If you want to become a marine biologist, a rural setting on a coast is where you’ll have the greatest opportunities for experiences.”
Recent grads—especially those who are paying off student loans—must also take city size into consideration when deciding where to start their careers, explains Jill Gonzalez, a senior analyst for WalletHub. They must “consider the cost of living,” especially in larger cities, she explains. “Even if salary is higher, cost of living is higher, too” (Reinicke, CNBC, 8/3).
Related: How to use your state’s most requested skills and jobs to launch or revitalize programs
