Abstract:
Job satisfaction plays a role in whether employees remain in their chosen profession. The purpose of this study was to track the career paths of graduates from a Midwestern Land-Grant Institution. Specifically, the study sought to determine the career choice, employment status, salary, and overall job satisfaction of college graduates. The findings of the study revealed graduates are entering a wide array of careers. Nearly three-fourths of the graduates were full-time employees, while 20% were attending graduate or professional school. Nearly 30% of fulltime employees worked in management and sales positions. While 80% of graduates worked between 30 to 59 hours per week, those who were employed on a part-time basis were found to be most satisfied with their employment status. In all, graduates were satisfied with their current salary regardless of the financial reward. Graduates with degrees in general agriculture and food and science nutrition earned the highest salaries but had the lowest satisfaction ratings with their chosen career. Graduates who entered industry as scientists had the highest satisfaction ratings in their chosen occupation, while graduates employed as support staff and research assistants were undecided about their level of job satisfaction. Overall, graduates were satisfied with their chosen career field.
Keywords:
job satisfaction, career field, graduates
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