CANTON – One year after graduating with bachelor’s degrees, 93.5 percent of 2009 graduates of St. Lawrence University report that they are either employed or furthering their education in graduate schools.

The Career Services office conducted the survey, which had a response rate of 83.6 percent.

Responses indicate that 73.3 are pursuing a career, and of those, 78 percent found employment either through direct application or through networking. Those primarily pursuing advanced degrees through graduate or professional school totaled 19.3 percent of respondents.

In addition to being asked in which field graduates are employed, the survey also sought information about what job functions they are primarily performing. Most prevalent were teaching, coaching, and training; administration and management; and research and analysis. Respondents said that education was the top field for employment, followed by social and human services and government and public administration.

Education, science and technology, and social services were the top three fields of study for respondents enrolled either full-time or part-time in graduate or professional school. Carol Bate, assistant dean of student life and director of career services, noted that at 83.6 percent, the survey had the highest return rate of the past decade.

"Despite the poor condition of the job market," Bate noted, "members of St. Lawrence's Class of 2009 fared well, reaching a total placement rate of 93.5 percent, down just 0.1 percent from the previous year."