10/05/2005
HKUST Graduates Highly Sought After
More than 99% of its graduates from the Class of 2004 had found jobs, started businesses or begun further studies by December 2004, according to a survey conducted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Their mean gross monthly income was HK$10,688, up
20% from the previous year's $8,888, with the highest monthly salary standing at $49,000.
Of the 1,348 respondents, 82% have found full-time jobs or started businesses, an increase of 4% over the previous year. 15% are furthering their studies, while 2% are engaged in temporary or part-time work. The unemployment rate dropped from 1% to 0.6%. Business, the largest employment sector, drew 70% of the graduates, manufacturing and industries came second with 16%, followed by 7% in education, 3% in
government and 3% in social services. The four most popular types of job were engineering (19%), marketing and sales (14%), accounting (12%), and system analysis and computer programming (12%).
The Class of 2004 secured their job offers at an earlier time, and received more of them: 68% received more than one offer, 37% more than two, and 19% more than three, representing increases of 3%, 6% and 5% respectively. 91% obtained their first job offer by August, up 4% from the previous year.
"With the economy gradually picking up, our graduates are receiving higher pay, more job choices and landing jobs in a shorter time," said Dr Isaac Tam, Senior Student Counselor of the Student Affairs Office, which conducted the survey. "In addition to providing career training to enhance the job-seeking skills of our graduates, HKUST offers a full range of enrichment programs, such as internships and overseas exchange opportunities, to better equip our graduates in facing the challenges of the future," added Dr Tam.
Michelle Chak Tel: 2358-6317
