U.S. College-Bound Students Ready to Work

Will Work for Tuition: Monster says in a new survey that many high school students want to remain close to their families upon graduating and entering college. More than three-quarters of students chose colleges in their home states. And 20 percent of college-bound freshmen plan to live at home rather than on campus. Even so, 59 percent would consider relocating for a career after completing their postsecondary education.

Monster’s 3,400-person survey shows a strong work ethic emerging among America’s youth, even amid a widespread belief that they are slackers who don’t want to make career sacrifices. More than two-thirds expect to work at least part time while attending school, with one in four already having job searches well under way. (Retail jobs remain a tried-and-true career pathway for about 40 percent of students.) Also, 87 percent of students expect to fulfill at least one internship during college and, in somewhat of a surprise, only 27 percent rank pay as a key factor when weighing different job opportunities. The news comes as a bright spot amid continuing worries that the U.S. economy is flirting with recession.