The results are in and they look optimistic. The Career Development Center recently sent out a survey to those who graduated during the 2011-12 school year and found almost a 4 percent increase over 2010-11 in employment, enrollment in a graduate program, volunteer service, or enlistment in the military.
Information was collected on 566 (46 percent) of the graduating class. We found that full-time employment and graduate school enrollment increased and entry-level salaries shifted toward a higher range.
Employment, graduate school enrollment, and salary reports differ by academic program and career path, but here is a selection from the results of the survey:
- Of those responding to the survey, 21.28 percent are enrolled in an advanced degree program. Aside from those already enrolled, 31.74 percent of last year’s class said they plan to enroll within four years of graduation.
- Of those reporting employment, 41 percent secured their jobs more than a month before graduation, almost 12 percent secured jobs about a month before or after graduation, and an additional 30 percent were employed within eight months of graduation. Eleven percent of graduates were not seeking employment, many of whom reported being enrolled in graduate school.
Here is the respondents’ employment status:
- Employed full time – 369 (65.19 percent)
- Employed part time – 88 (15.55 percent)
- Volunteer service – 16 (2.83 percent)
- Military service – 6 (1.06 percent)
- Not employed, currently seeking – 29 (5.12 percent)
- Not employed, not seeking – 58 (10.25 percent)
Fifty-four of the 58 who are not seeking employment are enrolled in graduate school.
The median salary range for the Class of 2012 was $30,001 to $35,000, which included those working part time while going to school or volunteering. Among those employed full time, the overall salary range increases to $35,001 to $40,000. The median salary for each academic program or career path varies.
Median salary ranges for those employed full time or in the military:
- College of Arts and Sciences – $30,001 to $35,000
- Opus College of Business – $40,001 to $45,000
- School of Education – $30,001 to $35,000
- School of Engineering – $55,001 to $60,000
- School of Social Work – $30,001 to $35,000
The complete report, which includes employers, job titles, graduate schools and states of residence, may be viewed on the Career Development Center website. Hard copies of this report as well as previous reports may be requested by contacting the Career Development Center, (651) 962-6761.
The Career Development Center reminds undergraduate students and alumni that the center continues to offer its services even after graduation.
