If you were fresh out of college 2011, maybe you had a difficult period trying to find work. Well, things are looking up for college graduates in 2012, hopefully a trend that will continue into the future. 

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a survey polling employers from all over the country. So far, employers say they plan to hire 9.5 percent more graduates in 2012 than in the previous year. Also, 2012 promises to be a more profitable year for graduates. In 2011, graduates raked in on average about $48,000 a year. This year, expected averages to be around 6% higher, that’s about$51,000.

Students who will be most benefiting from their degrees this year, like previous years, are those receiving technology or engineering degrees. Engineers, on average are expected to make about $60,000, up 2.8% from last year. And of course, petroleum 

engineering students have one of the best outlooks of all. They’re considered to be some of the highest paid majors, grossing on average about $83,000 a year.

Something to consider: If you’re in school now and looking for that internship opportunity, though they are far a few between, try and snag a paying internship. 61% of students who participated in paid internships obtained jobs directly after graduation, either with the same internship or another company.

Companies to consider: Within the next few years, the accounting firm Ernst & Young and Enterprise Rent-A-Car both have hiring plans that are expected to put about 18,000 jobs in the hands of new graduates with backgrounds in business, engineering, and technology.