Medicine Leads the Way in Graduate Employment

With graduate employment outcomes variable depending on the field of study, vocationally-oriented areas generally have stronger opportunity for immediate employment.

RDA Orana Director of Regional Development Megan Dixon said figures released by the Department of Education and Training as part of its Graduate Outcomes Survey showed that 71 per cent of Bachelor degree graduates were employed full-time just four months after graduation.

“Areas such as medicine, pharmacy, rehabilitation and dentistry had the highest full-time employment rate with jobs in the health field leading the way.”

“Almost all medicine and pharmacy graduates find full-time employment after graduation which is a reflection of internship requirements.”

Graduates with more generalist degrees such as creative arts, mathematics and science had weaker employment outcomes immediately after graduation but these improved over time.

Further research by the Department of Jobs and Small Business showed that what employers look for in a new employee is a combination of employability and technical skills, with both being equally important, according to 30 per cent of respondents. Having good people skills is considered to be the most valuable employee trait.

With secondary students nearing completion of the HSC and many still uncertain about future prospects, Mrs Dixon said it was an opportune time for any issues to be addressed.

“The research found that 70 per cent of employers place at least as much emphasis on employability skills as technical skills.”

The figures provide a sound insight into some of the issues around recruitment and retention in the workforce, which RDA Orana is aiming to address through a range of initiatives.

Orana has a strong presence in the health field, as a regional training ground for current and future medical leaders. It also offers sound employment opportunities for indefinite professional placement.