Lingnan University (the University) is pleased to announce today that nearly all 2008 graduates are employed or taken up further studies given the current economic downturn. The University has recently launched a number of strategies to enhance graduates’ skills in finding jobs.

New strategies to help graduates find job:
The University has devised 20 strategies in face of the economic downturn to help current graduates find jobs. The objectives are to enhance graduates’ employability and to facilitate employers in selecting the right candidates. Highlights of some new strategies:
 

• Launch of a Job Information Platform – a web platform to facilitate employers in placing vacancies directly on-line. Students can obtain job vacancies information via the web.
• Electronic CV database – graduates’ CV available online for potential employers, target launch in mid- 2009.
• Local and Overseas Summer Internships – more internships were secured from corporations and museums in Beijing.
• Career Empowerment Programme – intensive full year training programme for selected students including mentoring from experienced alumni. 40 students are selected for the programme this year and some of them have been recruited by Big4 Accounting firms.

Graduate Employment Survey
In the 2008 graduate employment survey on full-time undergraduates from September to December 2008 (response rate: 97.4%), 91% of the graduates joined the work force, 7.5% chose further studies and 1.5% were still looking for jobs. Of the 1.5% job seeking graduates, more than half of them were at the stage of switching jobs. The overall engagement rate of graduates was 99.3%.

In addition, over 80% of graduates secured employment within 3 months, and the average monthly salary also recorded an increase of 4% to HK$11,900.

Employers Survey
The results reflect employers’ appreciation of the University’s liberal arts education by the community. According to the survey, over 78% employers were satisfied or very satisfied with the work performance of Lingnan graduates. The highest grades were given to work attitude and work-related attributes as well as inter-personal skills. Besides, graduates’ sense of responsibility and pleasant personality were also commended on.