Survey Tracks Grads' Continued Job Success

The first ever survey of B.C. university graduates five years after graduation shows 90 per cent of them have satisfying jobs that pay well, Education, Skills and Training Minister Paul Ramsey and University Presidents' Council (TUPC) chair Dr. David Strong announced today.

Of the remaining 10 per cent, the majority were either in some other form of post-secondary education or had voluntarily withdrawn from the labour force. The unemployment rate for the graduates was 3.8 per cent-- less than half the provincial rate of nine per cent.

"I'm pleased with the results of this survey," says Ramsey. "90 per cent of graduates stay and find work in B.C. That speaks volumes about the high quality of the education they received and demonstrates that universities represent an excellent investment for B.C. taxpayers."

"The results of this survey show that a university education prepares graduates to pursue their career goals and enriches their lives," says Strong. "An overwhelming majority of respondents spoke positively about how their university experience enhanced both their skills and their potential as individuals."

The telephone survey of 4,757 SFU, UBC and UVic graduates from 1991 was conducted between December 1996 and March 1997.

Five years after graduation, 84 per cent of the respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their university education and 89 per cent said their education had an impact on their lives beyond the workplace.

89 per cent of employed graduates are either somewhat or very satisfied with their current jobs which provided an annual median full-time salary of approximately $45,000.

Of the employed graduates, 79 per cent reported being in jobs which required a degree and 70 per cent said their jobs were related to some extent to their degrees. 83 per cent did not experience a spell of unemployment lasting six months or more since graduating.

The graduates were surveyed on their satisfaction with their individual university programs, co-op experience (alternating academic study with paid, relevant work terms), education since graduation, employment history and on how universities could improve. Graduates suggested more practical applications of their coursework, more field work and more co-op opportunities. The universities and the government have already been addressing these issues. In the past five years, for example, co-op opportunities have increased significantly.

The results will be used by universities in planning curriculum and policy. The universities survey report is available from the Centre for Education Information Standards and Services at 413-4400 (Victoria) and can be accessed at the TUPC web site

The latest survey builds on the findings of a 1995 survey of B.C. university graduates two years after graduation. In that survey, 85 per cent of the graduates reported finding permanent work. The 1995 survey was also conducted jointly by TUPC and the Ministry.

-- 30 --