Story: Job Market for Grads Best in Years, 05/11/05
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june05/jobs_5-11.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What did a recent government report say about the job market for new graduates?

2. How many people are expected to graduate from colleges and universities this year?

3. What sorts of perks are employers offering new hires this year as opposed to previous years?

4. Are new graduates having an easy time finding jobs?

5. What is the average student loan balance that recent graduates are paying?

6. How do student loans affect other areas of people's lives?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. The U.S. unemployment rate is 5.2 percent. How does that compare to unemployment rates in other countries like Canada and the U.K.? What does a country's unemployment rate say about its economy?

2. Some private colleges and universities cost $30,000 a year to attend vs. some community colleges which can cost as little as $1500. What are the benefits of each type of school? What type of college do you plan to attend when you graduate and why?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our website.