Business and commerce has overtaken the education sector as the top employer of postgraduates from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, a new survey shows. Of the 157 master's degree graduates of 1996 who took part, 83 per cent were employed by August on an average monthly income of $16,867. 'In the past few years, teacher vacancies haven't increased much, but there are more degree-holders graduating and applying for the jobs,' student counsellor Cheryl Lee Wing-kum said. Fifty-six per cent of 1996 postgraduates were employed in business and commerce, an increase of 20 per cent over the previous year. Ms Lee said the growth of Hong Kong's economy was a big factor in the change. Engineering, systems analysis, computer programming, teaching and research were the main employers of graduates. A drop of 16 per cent saw education account for 22 per cent of jobs for postgraduates. Banking and finance has replaced economics, statistics and mathematics to become the fifth-ranking employment field. Last year, the university had 192 postgraduates, up from 117 in 1995. Seventy were in engineering, a 46 per cent increase on 1995. A survey of undergraduates showed 14.7 per cent went on to further study. Business students should equip themselves with practical experience and professional knowledge to help them find work, an expert said. Edward Chiu Kai-chiu told the executive committee inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong Federation of Business Students that students were of a good standard. 'All of them have shown their strong ability in presentation and organising skills - but need to upgrade their communication skills and familiarise themselves with the global and Chinese business environment,' Mr Chiu, director of BBA programmes at the School of Business of the University of Hong Kong, said. He said the demand for business graduates would be strong over the next few years, although there would be competition from mainland students. Graduates should not rush into getting a master's degree after their first degree as work experience was more important, Mr Chiu said. Twenty federation members will gain work experience in large firms this summer with Career Insight, an internship training programme.
