Aaron Roberson

Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.

Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.

"I feel pretty good about it," he said."I got to student teach last semester.It's a little scary, obviously, but I feel like I'm ready."

According to statistics from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Roberson and the other nearly 5,800 students receiving undergraduate, professional, master's and doctoral degrees from the Big Ten school have many opportunities ahead for them.

Employers in the Midwest reported plans for the biggest increases in hiring since last year, followed by the West and Northeast.Midwest companies said they expect to increase their college hiring by 15.1 percent over 2003-04 levels, the NACE reports.

Employers in the southern states reported the most modest changes, planning to increase hiring by 8.9 percent.

For Roberson and his classmates, all that's left is to be ready for the real world and the opportunities it presents.Roberson, who said he felt confidence in his ability to adjust to work life, said his living situation at a fraternity was similar to what living on his own will be like.

"You pay a few payments per semester, and they provide food," he said."There's a cook."

But in that first post-college apartment, few, if any, have the luxury of a cook.Roberson admitted he'll have to develop better time and money management skills.

"When I was in college, I had the opportunity to take naps," he said.
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Roberson is looking forward to the challenge, as are most of his classmates.

"I really enjoy working with children," he said.
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A class response will be provided by Aaron Roberson of Greenwood, a graduate of the College of Education.

Hiring up as grads prepare for job hunting Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.
...
Hiring up as grads prepare for job hunting Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.
...
Hiring up as grads prepare for job hunting Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.
...
Hiring up as grads prepare for job hunting Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.
...
Hiring up as grads prepare for job hunting Aaron Roberson, 22, will give the student response on Sunday afternoon for the last of four planned commencement exercises at the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.Roberson has accepted a position as a first-grade school teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School near Carmel.