Highest-paying jobs for recent college grads

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1. Investment Banker
Average first-year salary: $112,000
Preferred background: Bachelor's degree in economics, business, or math
BLS projected outlook, 2008-2018: 9 percent growth
Students with strong math skills and an eye for business who do not mind putting in long, stressful hours can consider this old-fashioned money maker.
As college graduates realize a more benevolent job might not cover their rent, student loan payments, and other bills, money-making careers become more attractive.
"Some people look at this and think, 'what will get me money now? Then I can go into something else later on,'" Altman said. "You can't spend all your time making a difference."