UW-Eau Claire: Graduates Finding Jobs in Wisconsin

EAU CLAIRE — Despite a tight job market and struggling economy, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates are finding jobs, a Career Services survey found.

Ninety-seven percent of the 2002-03 UW-Eau Claire graduates responding to the survey were employed or continuing their education a year after graduation, said Jeanne Skoug, director of Career Services.

And a majority of the graduates included in the survey — 56 percent — are working for businesses and organizations in Wisconsin, Skoug said, noting that 21 percent are working in the Chippewa Valley.

“UW-Eau Claire students are choosing to remain in Wisconsin after graduation, adding to the state’s brain gain,” Skoug said. “Wisconsin’s businesses and communities are benefiting from the graduates’ talent, energy and knowledge.”

Seventy-one percent — or 1,283 of the 1,810 graduates — responded to the survey. Eighty-three percent reported they were employed full or part time, and 14 percent reported they were continuing their education. Less than 1 percent reported they were seeking employment.

“Employers recruit from UW-Eau Claire because of the outstanding reputation of our graduates,” said Skoug. “Research shows that employers value strong communication skills, initiative and interpersonal skills. And those are the same qualities and skills our graduates say they believe are important as they begin their careers. They’re a perfect match.”

Members of the 2002-03 class are employed in many fields and have job titles such as nurse, environmental consultant, actuarial analyst, counselor, police officer, reporter, Web developer, orchestra director, international human resources assistant and English teacher. Those continuing their education attend more than 40 colleges and universities, among them Miami University, Purdue University, Syracuse University and the UW-Madison Medical School.

“Our grads are prepared to enter the workforce or to continue their education,” Skoug said. “When students leave UW-Eau Claire, they are not only well educated but well prepared for the future.”

In the College of Arts and Sciences, 480 of 776 graduates responded to the Career Services survey. Of the respondents, 310 were employed full time, 33 were employed part time, 115 were continuing their education, and 21 were seeking employment. No information was available for 296 of the graduates.

In the College of Business, 353 of 461 graduates responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 306 were employed full time, 17 were employed part time, 12 were continuing their education, and 12 were seeking employment. No information was available for 108 of the graduates.

In the School of Education, 255 of 319 graduates responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 186 were employed full time, 35 were employed part time, 26 were continuing their education, and seven were seeking employment. No information was available for 64 of the graduates.

In the School of Human Sciences and Services, 114 of 153 graduates responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 77 were employed full time, 12 were employed part time, 22 were continuing their education, and two were seeking employment. No information was available for 39 of the graduates.

In the School of Nursing, 81 of 101 graduates responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 77 were employed full time, none were employed part time, 2 were continuing their education, and one was seeking employment. No information was available for 20 of the graduates.

In addition to on-campus interviews and internship programs, employers can recruit UW-Eau Claire graduates and students as employees or interns through an online recruiting system. For more information call Career Services at (715) 836-5359.