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Last modified: Friday, May 1, 2009 3:53 PM CDT
NDSCS education pays off with skills
by Dr. John Richman
In May, thousands of new college graduates in the Red River Valley will enter the job market. With tough economic times and rising unemployment rates, competition for many jobs will be fierce. However, North Dakota State College of Science grads can breathe a little easier knowing that their employment outlook is promising and it took less student loan debt to prepare them for their career.
NDSCS Career Services office reports that 95 percent of the class of 2008 was employed within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $32,160. During the last five years, NDSCS’s job placement rate has averaged 96.6 percent.
NDSCS is sending off our students into North Dakota and the world with skills needed for job openings that exist across our state and beyond. Our placement rate demonstrates the true value of an NDSCS education, especially in today’s economy.
One reason NDSCS’s placement rate remains high is the college’s commitment to offering academic programs that meet the needs of business and industry. In-demand programs such as automotive and diesel technology, nursing, electrical, manufacturing and construction remain staples at NDSCS, while new programs including nanoscience, biofuels, animal science and microelectronics reflect employment needs in emerging industries.
Another important factor in NDSCS’s success in career placement is the quality of instruction students receive and the opportunity to work side-by-side with industry-leading partners. Corporations such as John Deere, Caterpillar and Haus Manufacturing partner with NDSCS to provide students with top-notch educational equipment and real-world job experience.
Not only are NDSCS graduates launching successful careers directly out of college, but they are also entering the workforce with less debt than the average college graduate.
NDSCS graduates have an average of $6,735 in federal student loans. According to the American Council on Education, community college graduates have an average of $6,879 in federal student loans and public four-year college graduates average $14,671. With more students taking out larger loans, it’s becoming harder for students to pay off their loans.
This makes NDSCS a smart higher education option.
NDSCS is committed to providing affordable career and technical education that enables students to enter the workforce in high-paying careers. Our goal is to provide students with the tools to be successful – this includes job placement and less loan debt.
JOHN RICHMAN is the president of North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.
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