01/03/11 bdb

HAYS, Kan -- Contacts with 1,103 Fort Hays State University graduates from the 2009-2010 academic year found a "success rate" -- placement in a job or enrolled in advanced study -- of 94 percent, according to a report from the university's Office of Career Services.

Career services contacts every FHSU graduate inside the United States. The 1,103 figure includes Virtual College, on-campus students and associate and undergraduate degree students. Not included in the percentage are Virtual College graduates from China and other international locations.

"Employers aren't hiring like they used to. It's tough out there in the job market," said Dan Rice, director of Career Services at FHSU. "Considering the economy and the difficult environment for graduates, 94 percent is actually quite good."

This placement rate for FHSU graduates continues the success of recent years. The placement rate was 95 percent in 2008-09, 98 percent in 2007-08, 98 percent in 2006-07, 98 percent in 2005-06, 98 percent in 2004-05, 98 percent in 2003-04, 98 percent in 2002-03, 98 percent in 2001-02, 99 percent in 2000-01, 99 percent in 1999-2000, 99 percent in 1998-99, 98 percent in 1997-98, 97 percent in 1996-97, 97 percent in 1995-96 and 99 percent in 1994-95.

Another significant aspect of the success rate of 2010 graduates is that 697 of them are working in their major field and 198 are continuing their education. Another 115 reported being employed outside of their majors, 69 were still seeking employment and 24 were not seeking employment.

The geographic employment data show that of the employed graduates,155 are working in Ellis County, 278 are employed in western Kansas, 111 are employed in other Kansas regions, and 268 are employed out-of-state.

The survey is conduced annually by Rice's Office of Career Services, which assists FHSU students in acquiring the skills necessary for a successful job search and provides information about available jobs. The annual report is issued in late December.

An extraordinary effort goes into the completion of the survey. The Career Services office uses phone, mail and e-mail surveys and then turns to faculty, alumni, fraternity or sorority contacts, families and various other sources to find the employment or study status of all graduates.