25 June 1996 Degrees and diplomas give advantage

Job and career considerations have probably never ranked more highly than now with school leavers planning their tertiary education, says Lincoln University's Liaison Manager, Peter Smith. And he should know. He's in charge of an operation that keeps Lincoln University in touch – through visits, mail, phone calls and education expos – with all of New Zealand's almost 400 secondary schools.

"When I visit schools and talk university degrees and diplomas the big question I always hear is: 'Is it going to give me a job?'

"Then the money question follows: 'Will my qualification lead to a good job money­wise?'

"These are difficult questions to answer with a simple 'yes' or 'no' but generally speaking you can say with certainty that a university degree or diploma will give you an advantage on the employment market over those not possessing a specific qualification and yes, a university qualification can help you once you've got a job to progress towards a better salaried position."

The placement of Lincoln graduates is monitored by the University's Careers Advisory Service and annual survey figures from recent times show that by the end of May in the year following the completion of their studies, 50 percent or more of Lincoln's graduates are in employment. Figures are – 1991 56.2%; 1992 50.8%; 1993 62.9%; 1994 67.4%; 1995 61.3%.

The figures need to be seen against the background of ups and downs in the economy and employment market in general, but they show a consistent employment pattern for Lincoln graduates that matches other universities (which also conduct graduate employment surveys).

Those still looking for employment at 31 May in the year following completion of studies have been – 1991 13.1%; 1992 16.1%; 1993 15.5%; 1994 12.4%; 1995 15.4%. The balance have either left New Zealand (for overseas travel or some other purpose) or have gone on to further full-time study.

Every university can boast success stories relating to particular streams of graduates. A recent one from Lincoln concerns the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Natural Resources. All members of the 1995 and 1996 graduating classes were placed in jobs with little difficulty – most in the areas they wanted – and Reader in Engineering Dr David Painter says employment prospects for Natural Resources Engineering graduates remain strong.

Other strong employment areas identified by Lincoln's Liaison Manager for which Lincoln offers degrees include – accounting; the recreation area of parks and recreation; resource management; Maori studies; computing; and horticultural management.

"There are definitely jobs out there in these areas, and a Lincoln degree has to be seen as a stepping stone to them," says Mr Smith.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand