Graduates say UPEI education has led to satisfying employment: study

UPEI officials are pleased with high employment and education ‘satisfaction' statistics detailed in a report issued in Halifax today by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.

Using data captured in 2008, the study called, ‘Five Years On: A Survey of Class of 2003 Maritime University Graduates', focused on graduates who completed their first bachelor's degree in 2003 at universities in the Maritimes. It examined graduate employment, further education trends, and financial status.

The employment rate for the 2003 first-degree holders from all Maritime universities is 95 per cent and their earnings have increased compared with the last time they were surveyed in 2005.

UPEI also received information outlining its own institutional statistics in comparison with the averages for all Maritime universities in the report.

'What is especially rewarding to see is that, among UPEI 2003 first-degree holders, 87 per cent said their education was worth the time investment, and 79 per cent, worth the financial investment,' said Rosemary Herbert, Acting Vice-President, Academic.

The job satisfaction of all UPEI 2003 graduates surveyed, regardless of whether it was their first degree or not, was 79 per cent. In addition, 89 per cent said their job in 2008 was closely related to their 2003 degree.

UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan said, 'We are very pleased to learn that our graduates overwhelmingly report that they have found satisfying jobs.' He adds, 'UPEI will continue to offer student-focused, leading-edge programs that enable our students and graduates to make a difference at home and around the world.'

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission's graduate survey program assesses graduate outcomes in the region and is conducted two and five years after graduation. The next class that will be studied will be that of 2007 in 2012.