October 6, 2000 Purdue ag grads report higher starting salariesWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The average starting salary for Purdue University's May agricultural graduates is almost $1,800 higher than that received by last year's graduates. Allan Goecker, assistant dean of Purdue's School of Agriculture, announced the results of the 2000 May Graduate Placement survey at the annual career fair held Tuesday (10/3). More than 100 employers came to campus to offer employment in food sciences, agribusiness, landscape architecture, forestry, and animal and crop sciences. The average starting salary for the School of Agriculture's May graduates was $32,116, an increase of $1,798 from the previous year. By program, the average agricultural and food engineering salary was up $3,230 to $44,600; food science and manufacturing graduates averaged $36,320, an increase of $2,141; agribusiness management averaged $30,078, up from $29,328; and the natural resource management starting salary average increased by $3,623 to $29,200. The survey results show that 92 percent of the 332 graduates reported they have either found employment or are furthering their education. Eighteen percent of respondents are continuing their education, down from 20 percent last year. According to Goecker, the increased salary rates and reduced numbers of students furthering their education are signs of a strong employment market. "The salary growth is an indicator of strength in the ag job market. Another sign is the continued lag of students going on to graduate school," he said. Source: Allan Goecker, 494-8473; adg@agad.purdue.edu Writer: Theresa Lawton, (765) 494-8402, news_students@aes.purdue.edu PHOTO CAPTION: To the Purdue News and Photos Page
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