job-hopes for students good

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 22

job-hopes for students good

Employment prospects for most university students are bright, according to a survey of graduates in 1979. The survey conducted by the. Vice-Chancellors’ Committee gives a statistical analysis of the first destinations of 7500 New Zealand graduates. Just over half the graduates, 53.4 per cent, were employed immediately, 27.75 per cent continued with further study, and 10.3- per cent travelled overseas. At the time of the survey only 5.8 per cent were still looking for employment.

The vice-chancellors reported 390 more graduates came out of universities in 1979 than was the case in 1978. The fact that the majority seeking employment found positions suggested a strong demand in

the economy for graduates, said the report. In spite of an increased output of accountants, the demand for them still o'utran the supply, and strong interest had been shown in graduates with knowledge and skills in the data-processing field.

There were not enough mathematics and economics graduates to meet the demands of both public and private employers.

Demand had remained steady for chemists and chemical engineers with special interest in graduates in food science, home science, and technology for the food manufacturing and allied industries.

Sales and marketing fields had offered plenty of scope for graduates in most fields but the more technical vacancies could not attract as many students. The continuing shortfall of applicants for post-primary teacher training was still a serious concern and graduates were badly needed in mathematics, physics, chemistry, accounting, music, and economics and, to a lesser extent, English. The vice-chancellors noted that when the employment market was tight, many employers looked for graduates with clearly vocational degrees which they saw as relevant to their organisation.