Graduate Status Report 2003-2004 Introduction Martin Shibata Interim Director, Career Services and Testing Services

INTRODUCTION

College year 2003-04 proved to be a positive year for newly graduated students to enter the job market.  Modest gains in economic conditions have begun to translate into more job opportunities.  92% of Cal Poly graduates were either employed full-time or enrolled in post graduate education.  The improving economy has resulted in a 6% increase in employment, with a 4% decrease in post graduate education.  The overall data for 2003-04 was based on over 2,200 respondents, a 52% response rate of the entire graduating class.

 GRADUATE STATUS REPORT INFORMATION

A chart has been provided that summarizes the last 10 years of Graduate Status Report information.  Within this period, the job market has fluctuated from weak to strong.  Yet, on the whole, Cal Poly graduates continue to be highly successful in reaching their career goals.

                                           Employed       Employed       Graduate        Seeking           Not Seeking
Year       Grads   Respondents   Full-Time       Part-Time         School      Employment      Employment

2003-04   4337     2237  52%     1628  73%        68   3%       429    19%        85   4%          27   1%

2002-03   3458     1867  54%     1254  67%        69   4%       436    23%        86   5%          22   1%

2001-02   3995     2090  53%     1419  68%        58   3%       512    24%        68   3%          33   2%

2000-01   3230     1750  54%     1302  74%        47   4%       339    19%        41   2%          21   1%

1999-00   3966     2318  58%     1798  78%        44   2%       425    18%        36   2%          15   1%

1998-99   3648     1991  55%     1525  77%        43   2%       394    20%        17   1%          12   1%

1997-98   3440     1989  58%     1534  77%        53   3%       364    18%        21   1%          17   1%

1996-97   3111     1834  59%     1427  78%        58   3%       293    16%        35   2%          21   1%

1995-96   3353     1925  57%     1479  77%        94   5%       298    15%        34   2%          20   1%

1994-95   3364     2142  64%     1627  76%        92   4%       330    15%        57   3%          36   2%

The job market for 2003-04 graduates continues to be competitive.  The market began to show signs of improvement in Fall Quarter with an increase of employer participation in the campus interview program and annual job fairs.  Industries related to construction, technology, accounting, financial services, consulting, biomedical and defense contributed to an improving job market.

MEDIAN SALARY

The chart below indicates the median salary of each academic college for 2003-04:

 EMPLOYMENT SOURCES

The graduating class used the following methods to secure employment:

Graduates relied heavily on networking through personal contacts and pre-career employment (summer, Co-op or internship experience), along with the use of technology to obtain employment.  Specific Career Services programs related to on-campus recruiting, campus events, job fairs and website (Mustang Jobs) were also widely used by students to make initial contact with employers.

EMPLOYMENT SEARCH TIMEFRAME

51% of respondents obtained employment before graduation, 82% obtaining employment within three months after graduation. 

MAJOR RELATED JOBS

91% of respondents reported that their employment or post baccalaureate study was directly or somewhat related to their major.  The remaining 9% reporting jobs not related to their major. 

GRADUATE SCHOOL

19% of respondents continued on to post baccalaureate study.   The majority of respondents in this category are from the College of Science & Mathematics (47%) and College of Liberal Arts (31%). 

COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

The Graduate Status Report is a collective effort of the academic colleges, departments, faculty and Career Services staff.  This comprehensive report is used by university, community college and high school counselors, employers, admissions officers, academic advisors, advancement officers, and accreditation teams.  An online version of the Graduate Status Report can be found at: