Employment rate for USD 08 graduates above national average
"There are still jobs to be had," states Billie Streufert, director of the Career Development Center at USD. "Our graduates are finding employment in this economic climate at a relatively successful rate."
Ninety-seven percent is well above the national average of 75 percent (based on National Association of College and Employers benchmarks survey) and Streufert credits USD's impressive placement percentage with faculty and advisers who encourage first-year students to begin career planning once they arrive on campus. Students who are proactive, Streufert says, are more likely to find a job.
"Career development is a process, not an event," Streufert adds. "We want students to have opportunities to confirm their career goals, gain experience and become engaged."
As a member of the South Dakota Association of College Career Centers, USD's Career Development Center is a collaborator in next week’s South Dakota BIG (Business Industry Government) Job Fair in Sioux Falls, S.D. Employers who have partnerships with USD will be in attendance, including Avera McKennan, Children’s Care Hospital and School, Sanford Health, Target and Wells Fargo Financial.
"A job fair like this provides great networking opportunities for our students," Streufert explains. "Networking goes beyond just looking at job postings or filling out applications, it's about getting students on the right path professionally and helping them make connections."
The U's Career Development Center provides students with year-round assistance in career planning, employment strategies and experiential opportunities. The CDC also assists students with internships, part-time jobs and providing detailed information on all types of campus organizations. For more information, please visit the Career Development Center’s Web site at www.usd.edu/cdc/placementrate.cfm.