College grads are snaring high-paying jobs. How the labor shortage made way for better benefits.

Brianna Perez, who graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut last month with a marketing degree, could have gone the tried-and-true route by taking an entry-level job in her field.

Instead, she’ll rotate among several departments – including marketing, finance, human resources and operations – for a fast-growing health care company before choosing a long-term position in whichever area she fancies. The experience could set the stage for an eventual career as a top executive, perhaps even CEO.

“It’s like a spider's web with so many paths I can go to,” Perez says.

This year’s college graduates are entering the most favorable job market in decades. Employers fall over themselves to snare the newly minted workers —trotting out sweetened offers as they grapple with widespread labor shortages.