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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 1987)
•i V Page 8, Portland Observer, December 2, 1987 Humanities Graduates Have Edge in Job Market Humanities graduates enjoyed a 29 percent increase in job offers Iasi year while computer science graduates faced a 28 percent decrease, accord ing to the College Placement Council's 1986 87 Salary Survey . The University of Oregon, along with 164 other institutions around the country, compiled the survey results for the College Placement Council, Inc. (CPC), according to Larry Smith, director of the university's Career Planning and Placement Office. The survey includes offers extended to a statistical sampling of students graduating between Sept. 1, 1986, and Aug. 31, 1987. Approximately 175 UO students participated in this survey. The CPC, whose headquarters are in Bethlehem, PA, is the national association of career planning, placement and recruitment officers. Its mem bership includes virtually all major colleges and universities and many of the Fortune 1000 corporations. "The results of this survey stress that students must do early exploration of work opportunities in the future to insure employment success," says Smith. . The economy is shifting from a manufacturing to a service base, he explained. A service economy is conducive to business activities not invol ved in the production of goods. For example, medical services, merchan dising and financial services are products of a service economy. According to the survey, merchandising and service industry positions accounted for 53 percent of the jobs offered to humanities graduates. Their starting salaries averaged $20,256, a 5 percent increase from the previous year. . "The imagery of the humanities major which emphasizes an open and educated m ind," draws employers to humanities graduates, according to Smith. "The employers are looking for graduates with communication skills, an understanding of different points of view and an ability to anayze infor mation to package it successfully for the consumer. In contrast to the growing service economy, the salary survey reported a "tight job market" in the technical fields. For instance, computer science graduates not only faced fewer job offers but also encountered a slight drop in starting salary from the previous year Those graduates' starting salaries, however, remain well above that offered humanities graduates. The 1987 average starting salary for computer science graduates, $26,364, was $5,200 a year higher than that offered their humanities classmates. Such a decline in job prospects during this "computer age" may seem strange, and for many computer science graduates, even terrifying. Smith, however, views it as simply part of an industrial cyclical pattern. As technical innovation increases, the demand for employees grows. Then, as technology moves ahead of the users and their needs, hiring dimi- niches. Smith points out that "the company that can minimize this industrial fluctuation is the ideal employer." The survey revealed that those who graduated with a business degree found less dramatic gains than the humanities graduates. Of the business disciplines, marketing and distribution showed the only gain in both the aver age salary — a 5.7 percent increase to $20,364 — and the number of job offers — an increase of 1 percent. The rise in marketing and distribution positions is again a reflection of the service economy that is developing in this nation. Smith said. The trend of employers looking for marketing personnel is evident by the kind of posi tions being offered by corporate recruiters on campus. "Right now more and more companies are looking for sales representative positions," says Smith. The survey brough out some interesting points about women and men in the working world. Of graduates in technical disciplines, women had higher salary offers than men. However, men received more than twice as many offers. Smith attributed this fact to a shortage of women graduates in the technical fields. Of the graduates in humanities, women received more job offers than men, but had lower average starting salaries. Through the e ffo rts of Rufus A. Conner, Irvin g to n C o m m u n ity S chool C oordinator, 65 fam ilies w ere able to sit dow n to a Thanksgiving feast Thursday. Conner and a team o f volunteers assembled boxes o f food and d istrib ute d them in tim e fo r the holiday. The program has been in place fo r 6 years, tha n ks to donations o f food. IL-B, Back Row]I Con ner, Jackie P ortw oo d , Deborah W illiam s, Dean Schell; (L-R, M id d e Row) Janice Dolan, Ester Johnson, Josie Luba, Cathy Sim pson, Hazel Polk; (L-r, Front Row) Colin Lubia, Joseph Johnson. Photo by Richard J. B row n PORTLAND OBSERVER The Eyes and Ears of the Community” 288-0033 Regardless of gender, Smith views job offers and starting salaries as elements based on qualification. Higher salaries come with experience in the field. Whether you are hired or not depends on leadership qualities, aca demic record and accomplishment patterns, he added. Statistical Analyses Pinpoint Success for Minority Students Statistical analyses released Oct. 13, 1987, show that the performance of Portland School District minority students is steadily improving in such areas as achievement, graduation, attendance, and suspension. The document, titled "A Statistical Portrait of the Multicultural Multiethnic Student Population in Portland Public Schools," compares data for the 1986-87 school year with statistics dating as far back as nine years The 101-page report, developed by the school district s Researc anu Evaluation and Management Information Depts., was prepared for the Port land Board of Education for use as a planning resource during future staff and school board workshops and community contacts. Supt. Matthew Prophet said he launched the annual report in 1984-85 to help in the development of policy directions and management decisions. "The report is designed to improve the overall quality of education for every student, with emphasis on minority students,' Prophet said. Still in draft form, the document is being reviewed by Pfophet and mem bers of his staff. Here are the report's major conclusions: • While the average levels of minority-student achievement in elemen tary basic skills are lower than the average levels of nonminority-student achievement, the differences have generally become small over the last six - I . Vea^ .'■ r Omar Shabazz (C) w atches blood pressure check during free Health Screenings held at the Urban League o f Portland. The screenings were done in cooperation w ith the A m erican Red Cross and the Ore gon Health Sciences U niversity Long-Term Health S tudy Depart- m ent Photo by Richard J . B row n Loaves & Fishes Seeks Volunteers The percentages of minority students eligible to receive standard high school diplomas by passing rigorous basic skills competency tests are steadily increasing. • For the past three years, the dropout rate for Black students were equal to or lower than the school district's average rates for all students. • Suspension rates for all minority students have dropped dramatically C - /•■ • ' -. since 1978-79. Prophet said average high school senior grades for minority students are solidly in the C range, while many students of all ethnic origins are attain < * '/ ’ -, R ing A's and B's. • :s .& í -• vi? z; • • » .* V j . • • 'K ‘X« >-.7v KOAP-TV Channel 10 will carry a winter term Portland Community College telecourse to help students prepare for the General Education Development test. Instructor Joan Gravenites said Channel 10 will air the classes from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Monday through Fri day for 11 weeks, starting the week of January 4. PORTLAND OBSERVER Student should attend and com plete registration at one of two orientation sessions scheduled Tuesday, January 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the library of the PCC Southeast Cen ter, 2850 S.E. 82nd Ave. Further information is available from Gravenites at 777-6900. The GED telecourse also will be aired on T.C.I. and Rogers Cable Channel 32 and Willamette Cable Channel 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and 7 to 7:30 p.m. Tues days through Thursdays. The course will provide lessons in reading, science, social studies, wri ting and mathematics prepared by Kentucky Educational Television. "The Eyes and Ears of the Community F urniture — Our S pecialty WE DELIVER NO CHARGE Beauty Supplies 7210 \ F G l IS A N POR 1 I A N D . 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Dianetics' Center 709 S W SALMON STREET PORTLAND OREGON 97205 15031 228 0116 ' vn<»a i 6 e . d e ' from f l'd g e P ufx-te f o«s N o 'i* C C ê i ' r è i - a ■» S -.’ f'eer er- io i o!. s « 4nge ” ge es C ‘ * « 9 0 T 02f • '9 8 5 g "»c CS' * ngMl ’«served 0 *NET'íS ’ s a '0 C«n»«» »n<j _ m o w ne d öy m e « e ou# Te c * n o o çy t# o e " ” # # o n P- n te d n u S * ■ nd ' s u#«d tfc i"» 4 To delight in its natural beauty and fullness 4 To fill your room with the scent of the holidays that only a natural tree can give 4 To promote the holiday tradition 4 To savour the holiday tradition and old-fashioned x-mas 4 To add a warm and glowing center to your home during • Trade Almost Anytnmg • Tools & equ . d • Jewelry • Cameras • Co,ns • Sport,ng Goods • Collectables • Appliance» •E lectronics «Furniture • Musical Instruments • More Name Address City . WHY YOU SHO ULD BUY A LIVE XM AS TREE Do Your X-Mas Shopping Bargain Tree We Buy • Sell Second Hand Store . /i ' .-• V i.» IF IC A T IO N : A n 288-0033 -5.^ > T í? 4 r Illu s tra te d A n s w e r to D ru g s is Loaves & Fishes/Meals-On-Wheels is starting weekend and holiday deliveries in Multnomah County beginning December 5th. Volunteer drivers are urgently needed, twenty-three for each Saturday, Sunday and Holiday. It's a perfect opportunity for a family project or for people who can't volunteer on regular work days. A 1-1 Vi to 2 hour commitment once a month is desired. Volunteers can also arrange to share routes. Please call Loaves & Fishes' volunteer coordinator at 777-2424. Channel 10 to Carry Telecourse on G.E.D, Preparation your ability tiothink more clearly! HRS: M on-S at 9 6 Sun 11-5 Sale & Restyling the holiday season ; ” V- M BENEFITS OF BUYING A CHRISTMAS TREE FROM US ¡¡&3 20% Off Most Toys ,•* - .•> r • 'J ir.-?-» i LtZ rV s » ; < - •' Eva Gabor • Bom Free Rene of Paris • Andre Douglas Zurv and more • Carefree ». v V Store Hours - R § 10:00 a.m. 'til 6:00 p.m. Monday Thru Saturday .. .-.. j- «•■.♦F •.'>> ■-..X '• .-A r- a v a :*? ’ s v 1105 N.E. B roadw ay (TV Toys & G ifts fo r Small & Big Kids 5429 NE 42nd Holiday Hours: Dec 1st thru 29th Mon-Fri Sat Sun 10-6 p.m. 9-4 p.m. Portland, OR 97218 284-8970 1-5 p.m. 4 4 4 4 4 SA N TA 'S XM AS T R EES Quality and freshness TREES • STANDS • NOBLE • DOl GLAS Discount prices Free and timely delivery Oregon grown tree “BuyOregon' Personal and friendly service ( 5 0 3 ) 6 2 0 -9 4 3 1 4222 N. W illia m s N. Williams & Skidmore Next to Geneva's Restaurant . G reeting C ards & G ift C e rtific a te s & More QUALITY CHRISTMAS WREATHS AVAILABLE , & ■«■’4 « 0 ¿«J A i >*■ w« * *1 1 5«& 8 WREATHS • GRAND Off Killingsworth on 72 & 75 Bus Unes (across from Safeway Lloyd Center) Tel. 282 1664 . „ The Neighborhood Toy & Gift Shoppe i : i
