Over 50% Lingnan Graduates Find Jobs Outside Programmes of Study

The Employment Survey conducted by Lingnan University (Lingnan) shows that 99.7%, or 753 graduates from 2007 either take up full-time employment or full-time studies.

The same survey shows that 51.2% of the graduates took up jobs which are not related to their areas of studies. The record is a jump from 44% in 2006. It indicates that employers tend to consider graduates' overall attributes which go beyond the academic. This exemplifies the merits of Lingnan's liberal arts education in producing all-rounded graduates who excel not just in their studies.¹

The employment survey was conducted by Lingnan's Student Services Centre in the last quarter of 2007. Among 755 graduates surveyed, the overall average monthly income was $11,408, a 6.9% increased compared to $10,667 in 2006.

Almost 50% of the full-time employed graduates secured employment within 1 month upon graduation, while another 37.7% were employed within 2-3 months. The highest average monthly income of $13,696 came from Cultural Studies graduates (Social & Historical Studies stream), where Bachelor of Social Sciences graduates (International Political and Economic Affairs stream) came in second with $13,415, with Contemporary English Studies graduates came in third with $12,252. Each graduate received an average of 2.2 job offers.

The following table shows the distribution of employment sectors and occupation:

Employment Sector:
Commerce and industry 76.3%
Education 17.4%
Community and social sector 3.5%
Civil Services 2.8%
Total: 100%

Occupation:
Teaching Profession 15.5%
Banking and Insurance Profession 14.5%
Operational officers or administrative / personal assistants 12.3%
Audit / Accounting Trainees / Company Secretary 9.6%
Marketing / Sales Executive 9.3%
Customer Service Officer 7.8%
HR / Management Executive 7.5%
Journalist / Editor / Copywriter 4.8%
Trading Executive / Merchandiser / Shipping / Logistics Executive 4.7%
Managerial Personnel / Management Consultant 3.1%
Others 10.%
Total: 100%

¹Based on response of 98.1% (755 graduates) among 770 graduates; and excluding 12 graduates who choose not to seek full-time employment.