As a recent college graduate, you’re likely eager to start your career and put your hard-earned degree to use. However, the job market can be competitive, and finding the right entry-level position can be challenging. To help you navigate this exciting yet daunting time, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best entry-level jobs for recent college graduates in 2024, complete with detailed information on job duties, qualifications, salaries, job outlook, and tips for applying.
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Software Developer
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- Duties: Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $109,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 25% growth (much faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your coding skills, internships, and personal projects during the application process.
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Registered Nurse (RN)
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- Duties: Provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and a nursing license.
- Median Salary: $77,600 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Gain experience through internships, clinical rotations, and volunteering in healthcare settings.
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Marketing Coordinator
- Duties: Assist with marketing campaigns, social media management, event planning, and market research.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $55,720 (BLS, 2022, for marketing specialists)
- Job Outlook: 10% growth (faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your internship experiences, digital marketing skills, and creative projects in your portfolio.
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Financial Analyst
- Duties: analyze financial data, create reports and models, provide investment recommendations, and conduct financial planning.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $81,590 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight coursework in financial modeling, data analysis, and any relevant internship experience.
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Management Trainee
- Duties: Participate in a structured training program to learn various aspects of business operations and management.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field.
- Median Salary: Varies by company and industry, but typically starts around $40,000 to $50,000.
- Job Outlook: 5% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031 for management occupations.
- Tip: Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through extracurricular activities and internships.
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Human Resources Specialist
- Duties: Recruit, screen, and interview job applicants; handle employee relations; and administer benefits and compensation programs.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $62,290 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 8% growth (faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight coursework in employment law, HR best practices, and any relevant internship experience.
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Public Relations Specialist
- Duties: Create and manage public relations campaigns, write press releases, manage social media presence, and build relationships with media outlets.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $62,800 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Showcase your writing samples, social media skills, and any relevant internship or project experience.
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Graphic Designer
- Duties: Create visual concepts and designs for various media, such as websites, advertisements, brochures, and product packaging.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $50,710 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 3% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Build a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills, creativity, and attention to detail.
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Sales Representative
- Duties: Sell products or services, generate leads, build relationships with clients, and achieve sales targets.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field (not always required, but preferred).
- Median Salary: $63,000 (BLS, 2022, for sales representatives of services)
- Job Outlook: 5% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your communication, persuasion, and customer service skills from internships or part-time jobs.
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Accountant
- Duties: Prepare and examine financial records, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, and provide financial advice and recommendations.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, with some positions requiring CPA certification.
- Median Salary: $77,250 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Showcase your analytical skills, attention to detail, and any relevant coursework or internship experience in accounting.
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Paralegal
- Duties: Assist lawyers in conducting research, drafting legal documents, organizing case files, and preparing for trials.
- Qualifications: Associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field.
- Median Salary: $56,230 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 8% growth (faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your research, writing, and organizational skills, as well as any legal internship or coursework experience.
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Social Media Manager
- Duties: Develop and implement social media strategies, create and curate content, analyze social media metrics, and engage with online communities.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $49,720 (BLS, 2022, for media and communication workers)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031 for media and communication occupations.
- Tip: Showcase your knowledge of various social media platforms, content creation skills, and any relevant internship or project experience.
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Event Planner
- Duties: Plan and coordinate events such as conferences, weddings, parties, and corporate events; manage logistics, vendors, and budgets.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event management, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $49,720 (BLS, 2022—for meeting, convention, and event planners)
- Job Outlook: 6% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail, and any relevant internship or event planning experience.
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Data Analyst
- Duties: Collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and insights, create reports and visualizations, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $63,190 (BLS, 2022, for operations research analysts)
- Job Outlook: 23% growth (much faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Showcase your skills in data analysis tools and programming languages, as well as any relevant coursework or projects.
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Technical Writer
- Duties: Create and develop technical documentation, user guides, manuals, and instructional materials for software, products, and services.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in technical communication, English, or a related field, with strong writing and communication skills.
- Median Salary: $74,650 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 4% growth (as fast as average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Highlight your exceptional writing and communication skills, as well as any relevant coursework or internship experience.
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Web Developer
- Duties: Design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications, write code, optimize website performance, and ensure cross-browser compatibility.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development, or a related field.
- Median Salary: $77,200 (BLS, 2022)
- Job Outlook: 23% growth (much faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Build a portfolio of web development projects showcasing your coding skills, creativity, and ability to create user-friendly websites.
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Digital Marketing Specialist
- Duties: Develop and implement digital marketing strategies, manage social media campaigns, and analyze website traffic and online advertising metrics.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field, with strong knowledge of digital marketing tools and techniques.
- Median Salary: $55,720 (BLS, 2022, for marketing specialists)
- Job Outlook: 10% growth (faster than average) from 2021 to 2031.
- Tip: Showcase your skills in SEO, SEM, social media marketing, and analytics tools, as well as any relevant internship or project experience.
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