March 17, 2006 8:04 AM

This is the year
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 8:04 AM

No, not the year for your team to win the NCAA's (sorry, Jason, about the Orangemen).

This is the year that the job market for college grads has really heated up, to the point where some seniors are holding multiple offers - and it's only March:

Job prospects for the class of 2006 are expected to increase by 14.5 percent over last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a professional group of about 1,000 corporate recruiters and career counselors at 2,000 campuses that forecasts hiring trends. This graduating class will garner higher starting salaries, too, according to the association, which polled 256 of its corporate members.

Employers' growing confidence in the US economy coupled with a need for skilled workers is expected to make members of the class of 2006 the hottest recruits in years.

For those of you still in the hunt, check out the listings on BostonWorks' Student Center. As of today, there are over 450 entry-level job openings posted.