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DSU announces 95 percent placement
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By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter
| 01/15/2009 |
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Dakota State University student placement rates dipped slightly for the 2008 graduating class, with 95 percent securing employment in their designated fields of study or furthering their education in that field. Placement rates for 2007 graduates were at an all-time high of 98 percent, but Marie Lohsandt, director of career services at DSU, said she remains happy with the placement rates.
"I am very pleased given the current state of the economy," Lohsandt said.
The percentage of graduates accepting employment in South Dakota increased dramatically, from 74 percent to 80 percent.
These rates are in line with the average placement of DSU students in the past eight years. DSU has averaged a 94.9 percent placement rate of students selecting jobs in their field and a 79.9 percent rate of students selecting jobs in South Dakota.
A total of 237 graduates who earned bachelor's or associate's degrees were surveyed.
In addition to students taking off-campus interviews, Lohsandt said, this past year graduates had at least 54 opportunities where businesses were on campus to conduct interviews or host information sessions.
"It's very powerful to know they have that many companies without leaving campus," she said, indicating that some companies do have a freeze in place when it comes to new hires.
Fields of study with 100 percent placement include biology for information systems, business management, computer information systems, computer and network security, computer graphics, e-commerce, elementary education, English for information systems, general studies, health information technology, health information administration, office management and respiratory therapy.
For two degrees -- business management and health information administration -- this rate has been consistent for at least the past three years. All respiratory therapy graduates have secured employment for the past three years, and all computer information systems graduates for the past two years.
One thing to remember for those programs with less than 100 percent placement, Lohsandt said, is the fact that not all students seek employment immediately.
"There are situations that prevent students from accepting full-time offers," she said.
The average entry salary for 2008 graduates is $33,189.
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