Putting Degrees to Work
Prince George, B.C.- Post secondary education pays off, that’s the bottom line of a new report from the Research Universities Council of B.C..
The report, entitled ‘Putting Degrees to Work’, found graduates are finding work in their field of study and are being paid competitive salaries.
UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks says there is another stat from this study which is very important “The one thing I am most pleased about is having the independent confirmation that a very high percentage, nearly 70% are living, staying, working, building their lives in the north after graduation. That is such an important part of our mission here, to have that being confirmed, that is absolutely fantastic.”
The study surveyed alumni from 2008 through 2012, from the six research universities in B.C. two years after graduation.
Nearly half of those who had graduated from UNBC (48%) were earning $50 thousand a year or more. “This idea that graduates are out there working as baristas and that sort of thing, is simply not true” says Dr.Weeks, “Our grads, for the most part, are doing exceptionally well and in particular a UNBC degree is a very wise investment.”
Other highlights of the report show 78% of the UNBC grads in the study said their program of study was relevant to their career, and that 95% of them were satisfied, or very satisfied with their education.
The findings of the report echo those in a study of UNBC alumni satisfaction which was released earlier this year. “Again, it’s nice to have converging evidence or support for the kinds of things we’re interested in finding out about ” says Dr. Weeks “This reinforces that we have a great product , a great product that is caused by the fact we have great faculty and a great student experience at UNBC.”
Dr. Weeks says he continues to work with the City of Prince George and other northern communities, “To really get out there and show them what a great community this is to come in to. Prince George, and all of the north, is a great destination for young people looking to pursue their post secondary education.”
Comments
I find it difficult to believe that someone with a BA is “…finding work in their field of study…”
I would find it difficult to believe that anybody with a BA certificate that ends with the word “studies” is finding employment.
Learn a trade, you’ll get paid.
That means that 52% earned less than $50,000/yr after graduation.
What I would like to know is:
1. Were these all undergraduate degrees?
2. Which were the predominate degrees and majors which earned the most and which were the least.
3. Which of the graduates were not working?
4. Which were working at jobs that did not require a degree.
Could we see a similar survey for two year community colleges?
Could we see a similar survey for those with a trade after their apprenticeship is completed. – plumber, electrician, welder, auto mechanic, heavy duty mechanic, etc.
How about those in a two years diploma health field from community college – dental hygienist, med lab technologist, ultra sound technologist, radiology technologist, etc.
We need something to compare one kind of education to another kind of education.
BTW, someone who has a Phd and is doing a post doc for three years and then another one for 2 years afterwards likely earns less than $50,000 in Canada. That is the basic requirement to land a professor teaching job at most of the research Universities in Canada which might start of at around $80,000 and, on average, peak at about $120,000.
Better to take a 5 year engineering degree. Then again, not everyone likes those other types of jobs that get more money.
Hey, tell me where one can get a BA certificate? Sounds like something one gets on the internet.
I wonder what kind of education those who head up the “Research Universities Council of B.C.” have to cause them to put out such a biased report?
Certificate = Diploma. I was eating lunch and it read properly over soup.
But you can likely get one of those “certificates” at the University of Phoenix. Bachelors Nursing Degree is one of their online offerings. Quality education.
:D
Two reasons to pursue a degree .. you have checked out the employment situation and figured you could get a job in your line of work and the pay is acceptable. Or you will love what you do no matter what the pay is.
If you get out of school with your degree and there are no jobs.. only have yourself to blame.. Or if you make less than expected you again have yourself to blame. Do research before you spend lots of money on a education to see if it meets your needs.
Right now there are lots of shiny new engineers who thought they would walk into a 6 figure job in the Oil Industry.. and they are now unemployed with school loans to pay off just praying for the price of oil to climb so they can get a job besides a coffee server..aka barista..
Ah yes. Hands off nursing … LOL
Much sought after. No pain to the patient.
P Val, that dilemma is not unique to engineers, let alone petroleum engineers! You don’t gave to look very far to find lots and lots of Arts and History degree holders to name just two other categories that are hoping for jobs beyond their current barista position!
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