College of Agriculture Releases Graduate Employment Outcomes Survey

Posted June 09, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 9th, 2003 2003-06-04-AG

College of Agriculture Releases Graduate
Employment Outcomes Survey

An employment survey of University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture
graduates from 1998-2002 shows that over 90 per cent were employed soon
after graduation and 70 per cent found their first job in Saskatchewan. Over
80 per cent said they were satisfied with the education they received from
the University of Saskatchewan.

The survey, conducted by Insightrix Research Services, also challenges the
conventional wisdom that career opportunities in the Agriculture industry
are on the decline. The majority of Agricultural students found work within
a month of graduating and overall, 75 per cent of graduates were satisfied
with their first job.

Self-employment is more lucrative, with BSA graduates earning an average of
$38,500 compared to Diploma graduates earning an average of $43,000.

Approximately 20 per cent of graduates are self-employed. The majority (68
per cent) of those self-employed are operating a farm enterprise while
others are working in some other agriculture-related enterprise.
Self-employed Diploma graduates are more likely to be operating a farm
enterprise while self-employed BSA grads are more likely to be operating an
agriculture-related operation.

A total of 20 per cent of BSA graduates did not come from a farming
background and a large proportion of them think not having a farming
background has had very little impact on their career. Overall, 48 per cent
of graduates are currently working in rural areas while 52 per cent are
working in urban areas.

Commissioned by the College of Agriculture, the survey was designed to
evaluate employment outcomes of graduates. Information gathered in the
survey will be used to inform decision-making at the college of Agriculture.
Subsequent surveys are planned to ensure that college program outcomes
continue to meet the needs of the agribusiness industry or the agriscience
and technology industry.

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For Further Information Contact:

Dr. Bob Tyler, P Ag
Associate Dean (Academic)
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4056

or

Karen Hughes
Student Services Coordinator
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-4062