Purdue agricultural graduates report fast job search, better pay

Seventy-two percent of May graduates reported landing jobs by Oct. 1, at an average annual salary of $36,234, according to a report released Tuesday (Oct. 3) by Purdue's College of Agriculture. The report was based on information provided by 98 percent of the 334 students receiving degrees this spring.

Both the percentage of new graduates employed and starting average salaries were up slightly from those reported one year ago, continuing a long trend of strong job placement and pay among May agricultural graduates, said Allan Goecker, assistant dean and associate director of academic programs.

"We've seen a remarkably consistent trend over the years of job placement within four months of graduation," Goecker said. "Some graduates also are choosing to continue their education."

The 28 percent of May graduates who were not employed broke down as follows: 18 percent were pursuing postgraduate studies, 8 percent were seeking employment and 2 percent were not seeking employment.

Graduates landed jobs in a variety of agricultural areas, Goecker said.

"Close to two-thirds entered business fields," he said. "Some took positions in sales, marketing, tech services and agribusiness management, while others became ag science and business teachers. A number started in the food science and food manufacturing industries."

An increasing number of graduates also accepted job offers in the landscape horticulture industry, Goecker said.

Starting salaries were up across the board for graduates in the agricultural and food engineering, food science and manufacturing, and natural resources management programs.

Agricultural and food engineering graduates reported the highest average starting pay at $52,060 a year — the first group to cross the $50,000 mark. Food sciences and manufacturing graduates reported an average starting salary of $39,545 per year, while natural resources management graduates reported an average annual starting pay of $35,035.

"Overall, our May graduates reported a 2 percent increase in starting salaries from our May 2005 graduates," Goecker said. "When we see what is happening in the economy, that increase is not significantly out of line."

Goecker said 85 percent of the May graduates were Indiana residents.

The release of the spring agricultural graduates employment report coincided with Purdue's annual Agriculture Career Fair, which took place Tuesday (Oct. 3) in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms on the university's West Lafayette campus.

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Source: Allan Goecker, (765) 494-8481, goecker@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web sites:
Purdue GOinAG

Purdue Agriculture Academic Programs

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