Graduating Students at MU Receiving Higher Salaries, More Staying in Missouri
July 29, 2008
Story Contact: Christian Basi, (573) 882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo. — At the University of Missouri, graduating students are experiencing high employment rates and many are choosing to stay in the Show-Me State. According to a recent study, 85 percent of graduating MU students looking for employment found positions this past year. In addition, 69 percent of graduating students found work in Missouri, compared to 68 percent the year before.
“It is encouraging to see that so many students are choosing to stay in Missouri after graduation,” said Ann Korschgen, vice provost for enrollment management at MU. “Part of our mission, as Missouri’s land-grant, flagship institution, is to prepare our students for the workforce, preferably within our own state. We are extremely pleased with the success of our students and are excited to see what the future will bring for them.”
Other highlights from the survey include:
• The median starting salary for graduates was $38,100, an increase from $36,600 the previous year.
• 23 percent of graduates continued their education, compared to 22 percent last year.
• 91 percent of graduates found employment in the area of their degree, compared to 90 percent last year.
“It is important for students to begin thinking about their future careers as early as possible,” said Craig Benson, director of career explorations at the MU Career Center. “Career services on campus can help students at any point along the way, including assistance with finding occupational information, identifying job leads, writing resumes, practicing interviewing and much more. A full list of career services offices at Mizzou can be found at www.HireMizzouTigers.com.”
For undergraduate students, the Sinclair School of Nursing had the highest employment rate with 98 percent of graduating students finding employment. Students graduating from the School of Health Professions experienced a 93-percent employment rate followed by engineering students (91 percent) and agriculture students (90 percent).
Approximately 3,000 MU students responded to the survey. The survey requested information from students who had graduated during the 2006-07 academic year.
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