Those with degrees in the business or technical fields are most likely to find a job in the US after they graduate, a new study shows.

Figures from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) indicate majors in such subjects as accounting, business administration, engineering, mathematics and computer science are most effective in securing work.

According to the 2010 Student Survey, such graduates are also more likely than their peers to have applied for a job before leaving college.

In addition, the poll suggests a greater number of students looking for work were likely to have secured a position by the end of their course than last year - a total of 24.4 per cent compared with 19.7 per cent in 2009.

More of those surveyed also said they had opted for further education, with 27.4 per cent of seniors planning to attend graduate or professional school in the next academic year.

Recent US employment data revealed the number of job opportunities in the country rose during April 2010, with an extra 290,000 new positions created during the month.

Posted by Kate Griffin