Source: Kerri Day Keller, 785-532-1691, kdkeller@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/ces
News release prepared by: Stephanie Jacques, 785-532-3452, sjacques@k-state.edu
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
Survey finds university's graduates in demand; Cerner, Black & Veatch and Cargill top list of corporate employers
MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University survey has found an improving job market, competitive salaries and diverse career choices for the university's recent graduates.
Conducted by the university's career and employment services, the survey had an 86 percent response rate from August 2011, December 2011 and May 2012 undergraduate alumni. Of those who responded, 92 percent of bachelor's degree graduates were employed or were pursuing further education and advanced degrees.
"The quality of education, work ethic, leadership skills and experiences that Kansas State University graduates develop while they are here is why K-Staters remain attractive to employers," said Kerri Day Keller, director of career and employment services.
As reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the national average starting salary for a new college graduate is 3.4 percent higher than the previous year. Salaries also appear to be up for many K-State majors.
"The information we receive from the survey is important to our current students because it provides a meaningful look at the careers and employers of our graduates as well as information that can be used in salary negotiation," Keller said.
According to the survey results for bachelor's degrees, the top three corporate employers are Cerner, Black & Veatch and Cargill; the top unified school districts are Geary County and Manhattan; and the top government employers are the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Graduates have spread out to more than 45 states, and yet 61 percent of the graduates stay in Kansas, continuing its annual ranking as the No. 1 location for alumni employment.
For the first time the survey also was given to graduates with advanced degrees and had an impressive initial response rate of 88 percent of master's and 93 percent of doctoral graduates. Of those with graduate degrees, 90 percent had found employment or were pursuing additional education.
The breakdown of salaries, a list of employers who have hired K-State graduates and more can be found on the career and employment services website at http://www.k-state.edu/ces/students/employmentinformation.html.