Grads Enter Uncertain Job Market

The term "freshly minted" is often used to describe something that is newly created or produced. It implies that the object or idea is new and has just been brought into existence, similar to the way newly minted coins are freshly created by a mint. Therefore, "new" is the most appropriate explanation for the term "freshly minted".

The word "prospects" refers to potential opportunities or possibilities. It can be used to describe future chances or favorable circumstances that may arise. In this context, "prospects" is synonymous with "opportunities." It does not refer to "applications" or "skills," as those terms have different meanings.

The purpose of a college career center is to prepare students to find jobs after they graduate. This is because career centers provide various resources and services such as resume writing assistance, job search strategies, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. They also offer career counseling and guidance to help students explore different career paths and make informed decisions. By providing these resources and support, college career centers aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully transition into the workforce after graduation.

The word "shaky" is often used to describe something that is unsteady or unstable. In the given options, "insecure" best aligns with this meaning as it refers to a lack of confidence or certainty, which can make a person or situation feel unstable or unsteady. The other options, "weak" and "old," do not accurately capture the meaning of "shaky" in this context.

The term "internship" refers to a supervised work experience in one's chosen occupation. It typically involves a student or a recent graduate working in a professional setting to gain practical knowledge and skills in their field of interest. Unlike a low-paying summer job or studying overseas, an internship specifically focuses on providing hands-on experience in a specific career path under the guidance and supervision of professionals in the industry.

Cheryl Allmen-Vinnidge means that students have spent time preparing themselves to find a job when she says they have "done their homework". This implies that they have taken the necessary steps to equip themselves with the skills, knowledge, and experience required to enter the job market successfully. It suggests that they have engaged in activities such as internships, networking, attending career fairs, and acquiring relevant qualifications to enhance their employability.

The correct answer is "between 1999 and 2003, the job market changed dramatically." This answer is supported by the information given in the question. The question states that the main idea of the story is that a college career center is a crossroads between college and the real world, and that in some fields, salaries have increased in the past year. However, the only statement that directly relates to the main idea of the story is that between 1999 and 2003, the job market changed dramatically. This suggests that the main focus of the story is on the changes in the job market during that time period.

According to the story, accounting has the best job prospects.

The sentence "To some students, a degree may not be a ticket to instant wealth" implies that having a college degree does not guarantee instant wealth or a high-paying job for everyone. It suggests that there are students who may have a degree but still struggle to find a well-paying job. Therefore, the correct answer is "a college degree does not guarantee that a person will find a high-paying job."

The correct answer is "The number of teaching jobs increased." This means that during the four years that the class of 2003 was in college, there was an increase in the number of teaching jobs available. The other two options, salaries in chemical engineering increasing and the number of jobs with benefits decreasing, imply changes that occurred during that time period.