Corporate America's advice to college grads: 'Choose your first employer wisely'

C-suite executives advise new grads to consider more than earning potential when choosing their first role.Getty Images

• Class of 2022 college graduates can expect more job options and higher pay.
• C-suite executives advise grads to prioritize development over money when choosing their first job.

It's commencement time and college graduates are entering a competitive job market as US employers are hiring 31.6% more graduates compared with last year, and paying them 2.5% more than starting salaries for hires from the Class of 2021.

The market gives the Class of 2022 the advantage of a plethora of employment choices and a higher career-earning trajectory. However, C-suite executives advise new grads to consider more than just earning potential when choosing their first role.

Insider spoke with top leaders who shared career advice for new graduates. They said to prioritize development and relationships over money, and make sure graduates' values are aligned with their employers'.