Feb. 18, 2000
Contact: Mary Bridget Reilly
513-556-1824
mary-bridget.reilly@uc.edu

Cincinnati -- A strong economy and ongoing demand for technical works has meant a decade-long boom for students graduating from the University of Cincinnati's College of Applied Science (CAS).

Tracking data that followed the college's June 1999 graduates is now available, showing that 97 percent of those grads who sought jobs found them. This caps a decade-long trend in which Applied Science grads looking for work always, or almost always, found it. For three years running, between 1996-98, 100 percent of Applied Science grads looking for work upon graduation found it. The lowest that job-placement figure ever fell in the past decade was 92 percent in 1991 and 1992.

A number of academic disciplines had perfect job placement among those graduating in 1999, including the four-year architectural engineering technology, chemical technology, construction management and electrical engineering technology programs as well as the two-year civil & construction engineering technology, manufacturing engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and electrical engineering technology programs. To view the complete report on 1999's job placement for the college, go to http://www.ocasppcp.uc.edu/postgrad/report/decision.htm.

Looking back over the past 20 years, the success rate is impressive despite all the economic booms and busts of the past two decades. Over the past 20 years, 95 percent of Applied Science graduates earning baccalaureate degrees and 93 percent of those earning associate degrees found jobs upon graduation. The 20-year report also reflects the sharply rising salaries for graduates with technology-oriented degrees. The average starting salary in every discipline more than doubled over the last two decades.

For instance, CAS students graduating with baccalaureate degrees in mechanical engineering technology in 1990 earned an average starting salary of slightly more than $29,000. Those who graduated in 1999 began their careers earning $39,600. Those with four-year degrees in construction management found their salaries rose in similar fashion. The average construction management graduate from CAS in 1990 earned a starting salary of about $26,400. In 1999, that same graduate received an average starting salary of $37,590. For CAS' ten-year salary report, go to http://www.ocasppcp.uc.edu/postgrad/report/salary.htm.

A number of factors figure into this success, according to Richard Abel, head of CAS professional practice and career placement. The strong economy helps, but cooperative education is key, he said, adding that employers know that "our grads can be immediately productive." Because of co-op, CAS students routinely alternate their academic quarters with paid professional work quarters with employers ranging from international corporate giants such as IBM and General Motors, Inc., to small consulting and architectural firms.