Jobs: Top Cities for New College Grads

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Job Search Flexibility

While the cities at the top of the ranking may offer young people the best chance for finding work, there are no guarantees, and job-seekers can expect to encounter economic backlash no matter where they go.

A willingness to relocate, however, shows flexibility—and in an impossible-to-navigate job market, every little bit helps. Being flexible is how Michael Fineman, president of the Young Professionals of Chicago, landed his job with American Capital (ACAS), a private equity firm in Chicago, three years ago when he was living in Minneapolis. Fineman now works for Maranon Capital, an asset management firm based in Chicago, the No. 7 city in the ranking. He says he liked Minneapolis but doesn't regret the move. "Chicago has a Midwestern feel and tight business community," he says. "You don't feel like you do when you're in New York City."

The advice most experts are offering young people is to keep all options open. "Be flexible," says Uishi. "Keep in mind what you want to do but consider other opportunities as well." Certain fields are seeing more job openings than others. Civil engineering, health care, sales, and customer service are offering a steady stream of opportunities, says Roberto Angulo, CEO of AfterCollege. Angulo and other experts suggest that, during the economic crisis, recent college grads consider volunteering or taking on freelance projects or internships if they can't find full-time work. "It could get your foot in the door when the company starts hiring again," says Angulo.

Your first job out of college might not be what you expect. "You have to look for opportunities in a lot of unique places," says Molly Wilkinson Chavers, the executive director of IndyHub, an organization that mobilizes young professionals in Indianapolis. "Sometimes, our first jobs on paper are not our dream jobs. But we must learn from each opportunity."

View a slide show of the top cities for college grads looking for jobs.

Di Meglio is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in Fort Lee, N.J.

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