Now that commencement ceremonies are winding down and the final strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” have faded, a new group of college graduates — armed with degrees and resumes — is starting their next chapter of life.
When determining where to launch their professional career, personal finance site WalletHub says grads have far more to consider than simply the job market and work opportunities available to them in certain locations.
In its report on the best and worst cities to start a career, WalletHub used 17 metrics — including the number of entry-level jobs, median starting salary and housing affordability — of 150 U.S. cities to determine where new grads have the best shot of getting a job and building a life for themselves.
“The city can be incredibly important, based on the opportunity that exists as well as how it meets the needs of the individuals on a personal level,” Brianna Koucos, director of the Career Resource Center at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, told WalletHub. “For example, I have seen students come to Westminster from out of state with the full intention of returning home. After they experience the quality of life and outdoor offerings, in addition to positive career opportunities, they end up staying here to start their career. Eighty-six percent of our 2015 graduates are employed in Utah.”
WalletHub says based on its rankings, these 10 cities have a lot to offer new grads:
- Salt Lake City
- Denver
- Austin, Texas
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Minneapolis
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Oklahoma City
- Amarillo, Texas
- Houston
- Corpus Christi, Texas
WalletHub says these are the 10 worst cities to start a career this year:
- Detroit
- Fresno, California
- Moreno Valley, California
- Akron, Ohio
- Hialeah, Florida
- North Las Vegas, Nevada
- Modesto, California
- Glendale, California
- Philadelphia
- Mobile, Alabama
Click here to read more about WalletHub’s findings and see how other cities fared.
What do you think of the new report? How do you (or did you) determine where to launch your career? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.
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