Portland Observer, May 29, 1965, Section II, Page 11
Oregon grads on the job
O C C U P A T IO N S P R O D U C IN G T H E M O S T J O B S
P ro jected
E U G E N E - One o f the Univer
sity o f Oregon's unofficial report
cards is out, and it shows that most of
last year's graduates are on the job
in Oregon.
The survey, released April 26, was
conducted in December 1984 Fifty-
five percent of the 1,297 people who
graduated Iasi year responded to the
survey, according to Larry Smith,
UO Career Planning and Placement
director.
"Eighty-three percent are work
ing and 17 percent have gone on to
graduate school," Smith says. “Those
results are fairly similar to the survey
that we conducted two years ago,
although the number that are continu
ing their education has dropped by
about nine percent."
Smith says the survey results should
alleviate concerns about a "brain
drain” of students leaving the state.
"Fifty-eight percent stayed and
found jobs in Oregon,” he says.
"About 20 percent went to Califor
nia, but that's about the same as the
number of Californians attending
the university, so we can't count that
as a net loss.”
Five percent are working in Wash
ington state, and an equal propor
tion with jobs is scattered among the
other Western states. Four percent
are employed in the Midwest, five
percent in the East, one percent in the
South and two percent are abroad.
Two out of three were in full-time
jobs related to their major. The bal
ance had full-time-temporary or part-
time jobs.
Smith, who says the high number
of responses indicates the survey can
be considered representative of the
entire class, found few surprises about
which majors fared best in the job
market.
“ Business is very good, and the
journalism, computer science and
architecture students did very well this
year," he reports. "Speech, econom
ics and math are some of the majors
that fared especially well. Other ma
jors, such as biology, tend to go on to
graduate school.”
The survey does point to a turn
around for students majoring in edu
cation.
"The elementary teachers fared
much better this vear than they had in
past years,” Smith observes. "The
secondary math, English, science and
special education teachers are also
doing well in the job market. That
trend is continuing this year, with
more schcxvl districts recruiting on
the campus than we've seen in the
past five years.”
On salaries, 26 percent reported
earning between $I6,(XX) and $22,000
Eight percent are making more than
$22,000; 18 percent are between $13,-
(XX) and $16,000; 16 percent are be
tween $10,000 and $13,000; and 28
percent are below $10,000. The esti
mated average salary of those work
ing full time is $13,000.
Smith believe the decline in the
number of students going on for grad
uate study probably boils down to
finances.
"Students are worrying about be
ing responsible for their education
expenses and are taking time to pay
off debts and earn money for grad
uate education," he says. "They're
also recognizing that some experience
between the Bachelor’s and the
Master's degree makes any graduate
program much more valuable."
Smith reports that all of those who
responded to the survey felt their
jobs were related to their major.
"Forty-six percent felt that their
job was highly related to their major,
and 19 percent said their jobs were
closely related to their degrees."
The survey also reveals that the
class ol '84 was actively involved in
gening some career related practical
experience during college.
"The most interesting part is that
38 percent reported that they had a
practicum or an internship — again,
belying the myth that liberal arts stu
dents don't have internship oppor
tunnies." Smith points out. “ That's
up six percent Iront two years ago."
In all, 63 percent of the students
reported they had had job experience
while in college
“ I think it represents a growing
interest on the pari of students io have
an opportunity to translate the inhu
mation ihev’re acquiring in the class-
room into practice in the field."
Smith says. "It's a two-way street
Employers also appreciate being able
to choose from among experienced
applicauli."
The survey also showed ihat two
thirds of the graduates had made
use of the services ottered bs the
Career Planning and Placement ollice
in finding work.
1M0
G ro w th
Percent
E m p loym en t
1980-90
G row th
S ecretaries
2.469.000
700 000
28 3%
Nurses aides orderlies
t . 175.000
506 000
43 2
Janito rs, sextons
2.75I.UOO
501.000
18 2
Sales clerks
2.M 0 «no
479,000
16 7
Cashiers
1.597,000
452.000
28 4
Professional nurses
1,104000
437 000
396
T ru c k d rive rs
1,696.000
415.000
24 5
806.000
400.000
49 6
G e n e ra l office clerks
2.395.000
377.000
15 8
W aite rs , waitresses
1,711.000
160.000
21 1
E le m e n ta ry teachers
1.286.000
251,000
19 5
K itchen helpers
839 000
231 000
276
Accountants, auditors
833.000
221.000
26 5
Construction helpers
955.000
212.000
22 2
A utom otive m echanics
846.000
206.000
24 4
Fast-food w orkers
TENORA GRIGSBY
Grigsby is asst, bank VP
H u 'f u u «>/ 1 a b o ’ S l a t u l i r t
Not too old for college
by Jerry H. Hickerson, Ph I)
If you are over 3(1, you may think
thai going io college is something that
only 18 year-olds do. But did you
know thai almost one fourth ot the
students in slate universities today are
over 24. and that the average age of
this group is 35? More important,
have you ever wanted to go to college
but thought that it was now hxi late?
Actually, no» is the best tune lor
you Io begin thinking seriously about
what a college education could mean
tor you Bv reading this article, you
will lealn how io gel started.
There is a commonly held belief
thai schools and colleges produce
"finished products." Some high
school students believe that once they
have received then diplomas, they
are finished with schooling and ready
lor work I hose who go on Io college
often believe that, after lour more
years, thev will have completed their
education It is only alter a short
tune into a "careei” that they learn
that more education will be required
if llies ate to advance
You mas be surprised io learn that
an increasing number ol colleges ate
CAREERS
IN SOCIAL CHANGE
Oregon Fair Share is working at the grassroots level to impact decision making on
community and statewide issues. Started in 1977, Fair Share has over 25,000
member households. Our successful campaigns include; prohibiting unfair utility
shut-offs; lifeline electric rates; delay on mandatory local measured phone service
and forcing clean-up of abandoned housing in Albina. We are hiring people with a
commitment to social change and economic justice for the following positions;
activists
Responsibilities include community outreach, petitioning, fundraising, and mem
bership recruitment. Hours 2 - 10 PM Monday - Friday. Ten day training salary
$255; staff salary $160 + /week and benefits. Opportunities for advancement.
ORGANIZING INTERN
Learn organizing skills while mobilizing people in the Albina neighborhood on local
and statewide issues. Position is self funded through fund-raising activity. Salary
$160/week to start and benefits.
recognizing the needs that adults
have lor higher education and are
doing something about it.
I here is somewhere a college that
can meet your needs; in most cases
there may even be resources io assist
you with the tuition But gelling start
cd will lake a little of your time You
mas, however, find that a phone
d ll and an appoint mem with a coun
selor interested in your future will be
How, then, can an adult become a
college student? I would suggest that
you first talk with someone who can
help sou clarify what you really want
to get from a college education II you
alreadv know, it’s still a good idea to
talk with the same people about which
college might best meet your needs
within your nine and financial con
straints and how I»' gel started as a
student.
among the wisest investments that
you have ever made
And cilice you get started. I can
almost guarantee that you will never
again regard education as something
that sou "finish" upon receiving
your Bachelor'v degree.
Tenora Grigsby is assistant vice
president and manager of U S.
Bank's Commercial Banking Divi
sion Note Department. She arrived
at that position December 1983 after
several assignments in branch opera
lions.
Her U S Bank career started in
1968 when she took her fust job as a
bank teller at the Lloyd Center
Branch after having worked in a re
tail store Shortly thereafter, in 1970,
Grigsby applied lor and was accepted
on U S Bank's internal management
development program, Career De
velopment Training Alter 12 months
on the program, she was assigned to
the Union Avenue Branch as assistant
operations supervisor She advanced
through several supervisory and man
agement positions at other branches
in the Portland area, and in early
1983 she was named manager of the
Clackamas Branch Grigsby's career
has been one ol steady progression in
an area she says she truly enjoys,
managing people.
A native ol Texas, Grigsby moved
to Oregon to attend Cascade (. ollegc
and Portland Stale University. Since
joining U S. Bank, she has attended
Northwest
Intermediate Banking
SchiNil (NIBS) at lewis and (lark
College and updates her skills and
knowledge through American Bank
U S. BANCORP
BELIEVES...
if
..that a company’s most valuable asset is
its people So every possible resource is
provided to help employees realize their
goals and career potential As a result, the
bank's growth and success are due to
employee com m itm ent, dedication, and
high standards lb uphold this tradition
and continue in our position of leadership,
we're looking lor individuals who take
pride in excellence.
W hether you are graduating from
school or looking lor a career change. I J.S,
Bancorp has career opportunities in vari
ous locations statewide Depending on the
nature of the positions, a knowledge ol
typing, business machines, bookkeeping,
math or general business may be required
For current job openings and career
opportunities, contact U.S Bancorp Job
Hotline at 225-64111
We accept applications for current
openings from 9:1)0 a in to I .00 p in., Mon
day through Friday
U .8 .
i —
r
B A N C O R P
555 S.W Oak. U.S. Bank Plaza
Employment Office, Second Floor
Portland. Oregon
Equal Opportunity Employer
Call 223-2961 for interviews
mg Institute of Banking classes and
other banking seminars and work
shops.
Outside of work, she has been
active m the NIBS alumni association
and the National Association ol Bank
Women. She has held ollicerships
and served on committees for both.
Grigsby is also very active in her
church, having served as a board
member and as treasurer, among
numerous other responsibilities.
Asked »hat she considers the most
important aspect of success, Grigsby's
answer is, "Persistence is very im
portant for anyone trying to start a
career You need to have an idea
where you want to go and realize that
having all the talent in the world
doesn’i compensate for lack of per
sistence in trying to achieve youi
goals,”
She adds, "I work for a good com
pany that recognizes individual po
tential Although jxuple sometimes
think of achieving Black women as
unique, we are not. Anyone with
good qualifications and a willingness
to make a commit merit to his or her
goals can be successful."
Grigsby is married and has two
young sons Her husband Ernest is an
associate partner with Zimmer,
Gunsul. Frasca Partnerships, a Port
land architectural firm.