In the past, people who graduated from college felt proud of their academic achievments an

d confident that their degree would help them to find a good job.

However, in the past four years the job market has changed dramatically. This year's College graduates are facing one of the worst job markets. For example, Ryan Stewart, a graduate of San Jose State University, got a degree in religious studies, but he has not gotten any job offers. He points out that many people already working are getting laid off and don't have jobs, so it's even harder for new college graduates to find jobs.

Four years ago, the future looked bright for his class of 2006. There were many high-tech ("dot com") job opportunities, graduates received many job offers, and they were able to get jobs with high salaries and benefits such as health insurance and paid vacations. However, "Times have changed. It's a new market," according to an officer of the university.

The officer says students who do find jobs started preparing two years ago. They worked during summer vacations, they have had several short-time jobs, and they majored in fields that are still paying well, such as accounting or nursing.

Even teaching is not a secure profession now. Ryan Stewart wanted to be a teacher, but in stead he will probably go back to school in order to become a college teacher. He thinks college teaching could be a good career even in a bad economy.

In conclusion, these days a college degree does not automatically lead to a good job with a high salary. Some students can only hope that the value of their degree will increase in the future.

What did a college degree mean to people in the past？

A．It was a proof of their profssional skills.

B．It would guarantee their quick promotion.

C．It built up their confidence in the job market.

D．It would help them to start an academic career.