The latest graduates from the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have achieved a record high employment rate, the university's graduate job survey has found. Conducted by the placement centre of the university's student affairs office last December, the survey received responses from 1,369 of the 1,373 bachelor's degree graduates, a response rate of 99.7 per cent. Of the respondents, 10 per cent went on to further their studies. The survey showed 96.7 per cent of job seekers were hired within three months of their graduation, with graduates in accounting, digital graphic communications, public relations and advertising boasting a 100 per cent full-time employment rate. Only one graduate was still unemployed when the survey was conducted. Most graduates joined the commerce/industry sector (76.6 per cent), followed by education (12.4 per cent), community/social services (7.4 per cent) and the civil service (3.6 per cent). The most popular careers were administration/management (13.1 per cent), teaching (11.1 per cent) and marketing/sales (9.3 per cent). As the economy and job market continued to improve, the average monthly salary of the degree graduates rose 10 per cent - from $9,420 in the 2004 survey to $10,360. The respondents were also optimistic about their career prospects, with 91.5 per cent saying their current job would provide them with opportunities for development. Another survey on postgraduates found that the average monthly salary of postgraduates and research graduates were $13,870 and $16,750 respectively. 'These encouraging findings show that our graduates' strong personal qualities, expertise and skills, developed by HKBU's whole-person education, have won the confidence of employers,' said Tim Wong, head of the placement centre. 'Our graduates did well in the search for jobs by preparing themselves early in their courses. 'For example, they expanded their portfolio of experiences by widening their exposure to enriching activities such as work attachment and career mentorship programmes,' Dr Wong said. He said current students should engage in a variety of activities. This would enhance their self-understanding, helping them to make the most of their skills and to realise their career aspirations.
