Many graduates lack some desired skills

So you've got that college diploma, now it's time to make the big bucks, right?

If you're fluent in Scala and GO computer programming, or an expert in mergers and acquisitions or equity management, you can expect 17 to 20 percent more than the average college graduate.

But if you're in some other field and among the 90 percent of college grads who consider themselves well-prepared for a job, you may be in for a letdown.

According to PayScale and executive development firm Future Workplace, only about half of hiring managers agreed. Some 60 percent of them say new grads lacked critical thinking skills, 56 percent said they lacked attention to detail, 44 percent saw a lack in writing proficiency and 39 percent were critical of their public speaking ability.

Once they've landed the job, the skills that are most likely to lead to a promotion include business management, IT proficiency and expertise with profit and loss statements.

The obvious solution for schools is to re-emphasize writing, public speaking and critical thinking skills, but the answer may lie in extracurricular activities that more closely mirror the real-world work envir0nment.

Organizations like the FFA, FBLA, DECA and other extracurricular groups provide some of the competitive opportunities that can give their members an edge when it comes time to offer the skills employers need.