Grads getting jobs after leaving NDSU
December graduation has been recorded and another May ceremony is just months away.
As the milestones come and go, students may be wondering if they will be able to get a job once they leave NDSU.
Statistics from 2006 indicate they have a good chance of getting a job after college.
Every year, the Career Center compiles an annual employment report, which is valuable to employers as well as students.
Almost 95 percen of recent graduates who responded to post-graduation surveys reported they are employed or furthering their education, according to the 2006 report.
“The Annual Employment Report is a much-anticipated indicator of how our NDSU graduates succeed in securing employment or continuing their education,” said Jill Wilkey, Career Center director.
A 90 percent response rate is the goal but only 73 percent of students were contacted.
The report is based on 1,206 responses from 1,642 graduates who earned bachelor’s degrees for terms ending in December 2005, May 2006 and August 2006.
Agriculture communication scholars dedicate time each fall to survey graduated students for follow up questions dealing with employment success.
“Student employment information after graduation is so important,” Wilkey said. “We compile an accurate annual employment report for student graduates every year.”
Complete confidentiality is guaranteed to the students.
The Annual Employment Report also provides statistic like retention rate.
Graduates who claim to be a resident of North Dakota and then become employed in the state after graduation are part of a five percent increase over the last five years.
“I think this is an interesting statistic,” Wilkey said. “One reason for people to stay is the economy is strong here, especially in the east of the state.”
Eagle Creek Software Services located in Valley City and Alien Technology in Fargo are two examples of North Dakota’s expanding economy.
There are no other universities in the area who compile an Annual Employment Report Wilkey said.
Students often choose careers unrelated to their bachelors degree—this not bad though. The Annual Employment Report shows the percentage of students who are employed in a field related to their major.
The January 23 edition of The Spectrum posed the question ‘If you could own your own business, what would it be?’ for Bison Bits.
“I would own a night club,” said Josh Siefert, a senior in radiology. Saurav Dahal, a freshman in biochemistry, wants to own a magazine.
A nightclub for the radiology major and magazine for the biochemist would be in that percentage of unrelated careers in relation to their major.
“Students normally change their employment after one year of graduation,” said Wilkey. “Life is like sideways stepping stone path—there is never a straight road to follow.”
The Career Center provides employment information and serves as a resource center for the students and alumni with employers. Part-Time Job Fairs, Tri-College School Day, Tri-College Career and Internship Fair, North Dakota Education Connection, and Summer Jobs Fairs are just a few of the events provided by the Career Center.
For more information on the Career Center or statistical information visit their Website at www.ndsu.edu/career_center/.