(December 23, 2008)

Contact: Rick DelaHaya, Centenary News Services, 318.869.5073

Survey Shows High Placement After Centenary Graduation

Graduate Placement Survey finds 91 percent of 2008 Centenary grads employed or attending graduate school.

Shreveport, La.— A recent survey shows that Centenary College graduates are weathering the current economic storm by either continuing their education at graduate schools, or turning their college education into a career with potential.

The Centenary "First Destination" Graduate Placement Survey for the class of 2008 shows that of the students responding, 42.5 percent were employed, while 48.5 percent of those surveyed are continuing their education, for a 91 percent placement rate.

Conducted by the College's Office of Career Services annually, the survey attempts to document the post graduate outcomes of Centenary students who have received a bachelors degree, offering a snapshot of their progress during the initial transition out of college. This survey contacted 190 Centenary graduates from the class of 2008 and received 167 replies. Survey results found 71 respondents — approximately 42.5 percent — were employed six month after graduation, while 81 respondents — approximately 48 percent — were continuing their education. The survey also showed that 4.2 percent were taking time off while 4.8 percent were seeking employment.

"The effectiveness of the Centenary curricula is measured by the success of our graduates," said Dennis Taylor, Director of Career Services. "Placement records indicate that our graduates have enjoyed an excellent aggregate placement rate and many hold significant positions for a wide range of organizations such as; JP Morgan, KPMG, Louisiana Gas Development, Willis Knighton and Milestone Energy. An equally impressive number are continuing their education at many quality graduate and professional schools such as; LSUHSCS Medical School, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, SMU Perkins Theological Seminary and Rice University."

Highlights from the survey include:

  • Number of graduating seniors: 190

  • Number of respondents: 167 (87.9%)

  • Respondents employed: 71 (42.5%)

  • Respondents continuing education: 81 (48.5%)

  • Respondents taking time off: 7 (4.2%)

  • Respondents seeking employment: 8 (4.8%)

  • Among the top employers hiring Centenary graduates, 24 percent of the respondents were employed in business; 18 percent in education; and 14 percent were employed in the health science industry.

  • Of the students who reported continuing their education, 64 percent were seeking their masters level degree; 10 percent law degree (Juris Doctor); 22 percent in medical school; and 4 percent in other health programs.

  • Some of the graduate schools attended by Centenary graduates include: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Baylor Law Center, Colorado State University, SMU Perkins Theological Seminary, Rice University, Syracuse University, Texas A&M University, University of Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt University.

For the complete survey results, see our more complete report, "First Destination" Graduate Placement Survey (pdf). For more information on the "First Destination" survey, contact Dennis Taylor, Director of Career Services at 318.869.5360 or email.


About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and is regularly rated as one of the top colleges in the South. In 2008 Centenary College celebrates 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.