Nearly All of CFAES Grads Report Positive Job Outlook

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ninety-two percent of recent graduates of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University report either having a job or being enrolled in an advanced degree program within six months of graduation.

That’s according to a recent survey by school officials that found that of those graduates, 77.2 percent reported accepting positions in Ohio, which contributes to the state’s overall economic strength, said Adam Cahill, career development manager for the college.

The remaining graduates reported accepting positions in 25 other states and three other countries, Cahill said.

“The fact that our students have secured positions in multiple states and internationally shows that our programs are well known and respected,” he said. “Companies, organizations and corporations across the country target our students for employment because they know and value the quality of our graduates."

The survey was based on the 2014-15 academic year, when 549 students were awarded degrees. Of those graduates, 74 percent responded to the survey, Cahill said.

The report also found that:

·      CFAES graduates indicated an average starting salary of $41,261.

·      Those graduates seeking advanced degrees will attend 16 different universities.

·      Some 279 different companies and organizations hired CFAES graduates.

All CFAES graduates with degrees in agricultural communications; agriscience education; community leadership; culinary science; environment, economy, development and sustainability; meat science; plant health management; plant pathology; professional golf management; sustainable plant systems — agronomy; and sustainable plant systems — horticulture reported securing employment or acceptance into graduate school within six months of graduation, the report said.