Every year, millions of college graduates flood out of universities across the nation to compete in the job market. Those graduates may have luck finding jobs in business.

The top five careers today are management trainee, teaching, sales, consulting and accounting, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers fall 2005 salary survey.

But the most popular undergraduate majors at Western are preparing students for other careers.

The top five undergraduate majors at Western are elementary education, two-year and four-year nursing degrees, management and psychology, Career Preparations Specialist Becky Bennett said.

Nursing is one of the most popular and selective programs at Western because there is a large demand for nurses, Bennett said. By 2012, the economy is supposed to be facing a shortage of about one million nurses, she said.

“People are realizing that it’s very marketable to get jobs in nursing,” Nursing Department Head Donna Blackburn said. “Since there is a shortage, there is a high demand for nurses, and it’s easier to find a good job after college.”

Lexington senior Erin Warren is a nursing major. She is president of the Association of Nursing Students.

“I chose nursing mostly because I like to help people,” Warren said. “Nursing also provides a lot of opportunities for other jobs, and I like having the security of a good job when I graduate.”

Taking advantage of internships and co-ops are two great ways of preparing for a career in a popular field, Bennett said.

Volunteer and other service learning opportunities also help students build their “soft skills,” such as communication skills, and show civic responsibility, Bennett said.

The Career Services Center is a resource students can use to find information about their specific career field, Bennett said.

The center lists many employment opportunities for internships and full-time jobs. A student also can receive help preparing a resume, improving their interview skills and learning how to successfully search for a job, Bennett said.

Reach Nina Bosken at news@wkuherald.com.