In a commencement address on Monday, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen congratulated the graduating class at the University of Baltimore on earning their degrees and told them that they're entering the workforce at an opportune time. Per Yellen, the grads are entering the best job market in nearly a decade following years of a slow economic recovery. During a strong economy, she added, not only are jobs more plentiful, but they tend to pay better. Yellen told the graduates that the degrees they've earned are the ticket to a successful working life, giving them access to higher-paying opportunities and providing them with higher job satisfaction over their careers. Yellen stated that college graduates' annual earnings are, on average, 70% higher than those who only hold a high school diploma -- an increase of 50% since 1980. The chairwoman went on to say that all signs point to a healthy job market, including consistent job creation, more job openings, and a ...

Every now and then, I search jobs in my industry on sites like Indeed.com, just to get a sense of how many jobs are being created. If my research is any indication, the job market remains sluggish. But you wouldn't know this from the stats reported by major news outlets. Earlier today, CNNMoney reported that America boasted 5.6 million jobs in December, slightly lower than the all-time record of 5.7 jobs set in July. The report adds that the number of job openings now is almost three times the 2.1 million available during July 2009. During the recession, employers could pick and choose employees, as there were few job openings and plenty of available workers. Per outlets like CNN, the tables have mostly turned now: there are ample jobs but a dwindling number of workers. Unemployment dropped to 4.9% in January, the lowest rate in 8 years. Still, I'm just not seeing a glut of jobs available, at least not locally. Perhaps the winds of change have not yet reached every part o...