Bulletin Number Three 1986

Banking and finance (10.2%), the social services (6.1%), computer/data processing (5.4%), electronic engineering (4.1%) and insurance (3.1%) also attracted substantial numbers o f graduates. While the teaching profession continued to be the major outlet for arts graduates, the percentage o f arts graduates taking up teaching positions in second ary and tertiary institutions dropped by 12.3% from the corresponding figure o f 1984. On the other hand, arts graduates employed in administrative or mana gerial positions increased by 6.5% from 4.4% in 1984 to 10.9% in 1985. The major career fields which attracted gradu ates in business administration were banking and finance (32.6%), accounting (22.8%), administration/ management (12%) and marketing (10.3%). The percentage o f science graduates who opted for teaching jobs continued to decline. On the other hand, there was a steady increase in science graduates taking up marketing jobs, from 8.3% in 1983 to 10.7% in 1984 and 21.4% in 1985. The increase was particu larly noticeable among graduates in biochemistry and chemistry. As in the previous years, most o f the com puter science graduates (88%) and the electronics graduates (77.2%) were engaged in professions directly related to their training. Social science graduates were rather diversified in their choice o f careers. About one fifth (20.4%) of the social science graduates, all o f whom were social work majors, were engaged in social services. Other major fields into which social science graduates were absorbed included teaching (18.3%), administration/ management (15.2%), marketing (8.9%), journalism (6.8%), banking (6.3%), insurance (4.2%), accounting (3.2%) and mass communication (3.2%). The average monthly salary o f 1985 graduates appreciated by 4.1% from that o f the previous year. The median monthly salaries for those entering the government, the education sector and the business sector were HK$6,243, $6,211 and $4,154 respect ively. Some 23% o f the graduates, most o f whom were in the business sector, had a remuneration package which included an annual bonus. About 16% were entitled to educational and/or housing allowance. Over half o f the graduates (55.5%) were sub stantially satisfied w ith their current employment, while 31% indicated an average level o f satisfaction. As in the previous years, most o f the graduates were interested in the type o f their work, enjoyed amicable working relationships w ith their colleagues, and were satisfied w ith their working environment. About 29% o f the graduates, however, were not satisfied w ith the training provided by employers and about a quarter (24.7%) had reservations about the way o f management o f the organizations they worked for. Some 21% expressed concern for their prospect for advancement. The major factors believed by graduates to have helped them to secure their present jobs included having taken the relevant courses at university (38.7%), performance at interviews (27.8%) and academic results (8.6%). Graduates in government and business regarded performance at interviews as the most impor tant factor in obtaining their present jobs. Graduates in education, on the other hand, cited having taken relevant courses at university as the fundamental factor which enabled them to get their jobs. The major difficulties claimed by graduates to have unfavourably affected their chance o f employ ment were lack o f relevant working experience (24.9%), inadequate interview techniques (14%) and inadequate English (13.5%). The absence o f relevant working experience was cited by graduates in all sectors as the chief handicap in their search for employment. Some 74% o f the graduates obtained their first appointment offers by the end o f August. About 37% o f the graduates in employment received two or more offers. 15% were on their second or third job since graduation at the time o f the survey. The percentage o f graduates proceeding to further studies in 1985 (17.3%) was similar to that o f the previous year (17.2%). Some 14% o f the graduates in further studies were attending academic institutions abroad, a sharp drop as compared to that o f 1984 (28.4%). Of the graduates who were engaged in further studies, 42.7% were working towards a Diploma in Education, an increase o f 11.1% over the corre sponding figure o f 1984. About 13% were admitted to Master o f Business Administration programmes, and roughly 23% were studying for aMaster o f Science degree. Over three quarters o f the graduates in further studies were entirely on their own finances. About 13% were offered teaching assistantships, and 10% were awarded fu ll scholarships. Part-time Degree Graduates A total o f twenty-five part-time degree gradu ates, all social work majors, took their degrees this year. A ll o f them continued to serve after graduation in the same organizations where they had been working during the course o f their studies. Some 64% o f these graduates were promoted from the rank o f Senior Social Work Assistant or Social Work Assistant to Assistant Social Work Officer upon obtaining the degree. O f those who remained in their original positions, some were already holding degree posts while some others expected to be pro moted in the near future. 14 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS