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Manchester College
continues
its strong job rate
for graduates
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind.
(Dec. 22, 2003) - Just six months after graduation, more than 95.5 percent
of Manchester College's 2003 graduates are employed, are in full-time
volunteer work or are continuing their education. The survey of 100 percent
of the Class of 2003 continues a strong trend of placement among Manchester
grads, said Stuart D. Jones, director of Career Services at the liberal arts
college. The overall placement rate of MC grads over the past five years is
96 percent, compared to a national average of 75
percent to 85 percent.
As expected, the survey
of the 198 June graduates reveals a tough job market: More than 20 percent
of Manchester's 2003 grads are working out of their field.
"Yet, this year's placement rate is up slightly
over last year, despite an even tougher job market," Jones noted. All
majors of biology/chemistry, economics, managerial accounting, small
business management, health and physical education and Spanish are working
in their field, the survey revealed. Students of history and sociology are
having a particularly hard time finding work.
And, while college grads
who cannot find work in their field traditionally return to the classroom,
that trend did not continue this year, Jones said. In fact, only 14.6
percent of Manchester's June 2003 alumni are in grad school - compared to
almost 27 percent in 2001, for example. A dozen of the grads are seeking
graduate degrees in financial accounting. Manchester offers a Masters of
Accountancy with a national reputation for high pass rates on the CPA exam.
"Manchester's continued higher placement of its graduates compared to
national and regional averages year after year reflects the college's
stellar reputation in the business world and in graduate schools," said
Jones. "The college does an impressive job of producing students of
character and conviction who leave possessing outstanding work skills,
experience and maturity. Each year, more and more businesses contact us for
job candidates."
The survey also revealed
that Manchester College grads are turning to full-time volunteer service in
greater numbers. Nine are in volunteer service, including three in
AmeriCorps and six in church-related service, Jones said. Only two of the
June 2000 grads were in full-time volunteer work six months after
graduation. Manchester is a Church of the Brethren college; about 12 percent
of its students are members of the church. Service is an important element
of the college's Mission Statement, and of the church.
The 100 percent tracking
rate of grads is uncommon. Many colleges estimate their placement rate based
on a random survey and do not persevere in tracking down every single grad,
Jones noted. He praised Career Services assistant Betty Butterbaugh in
completing the survey.
Alumni seeking work are
urged to take advantage of Manchester College's
Career Services, which offers on-line resources, counseling, resume
assistance and valuable contacts with employers, Jones said. Call
260-982-5242 or visit the college's web site at
www.manchester.edu and click on
the Career Services link.
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