Graduation Edition
The University Daily
KANSAN
Published since 1889 by students of the University of Kansas
Tuesday, May 7, 1985
Vol. 95, No. 146 (USPS 650-640)
Job hunt begins Competition increases as more earn diplomas
By JEANINE HOWE
Staff Reporter
After four or five years of lectures, exams and all-nighters, graduating seniors still have one more challenge to face - turning their college degrees into jobs.
But University placement directors say finding a job takes more than just a diploma.
More than 5,000 students will receive degrees from the University of Kansas this year, and most of them assume that the degrees are their ticket to at least $20,000 a year salaries.
Terry Glenn, assistant director of University Placement Center, said recently, "There are increasing numbers coming out with college degrees. It's no longer unique"
According to University Archives records, the number of degrees granted at KU almost doubled during the last 20 years. The total number of degrees granted in 1964-65 school year was 2.822. Then in 1974-75, the number of degrees granted at KU increased by more than 50 percent to 4.638 — for 1974-75.
THIS YEAR, AN estimated 5,100 degrees will be granted from the University. The total includes 1,300 degrees granted in December and 400 degrees granted in August.
road Boysen, a December graduate with a master's degree in business administration said he was looking for someone he needs to have something special.
something unique that companies like."
Glem said a degree was required for many jobs and could attract employers, but the rest was up to the graduate.
Students can improve their chances by making resumes and preparing for interviews by researching companies They can find help at the placement center, 223 Carruth-O'Leary Hall. The center helps students by conducting mock interviews, job workshops and by coordinating visits by corporate interviewers.
"There will be no time in their life when it will be easier to make contact with 144 companies," Maddus said.
By May about 200 companies will have interviewed students in the School of Engineering, said Julie Webster, placement director for the school. Webster said about 80 percent of the students graduating from the engineering school used the placement office.
DANA LEIBIGOOD, associate dean and placement coordinator at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, received recruiters came to the school each
There will be no time in their life when it will be easier to make contact with 144 companies.'
are here, however, it's up to the students.
Placement Director
Part of the student's job is to do the necessary homework and to do it early, Glenn said.
"YOU HAVE TO get the paperwork together soon enough to get into the market situation at the key time." Glenn said. "You don't want to wait till after you get your degree. Timing is important."
Vernon Gaussler, director of the center, said about 800 different recruiters visited the campus last year.
FRED MADAUS, placement director for the School of Business, said that about 425 undergraduate and 175 graduate students would be receiving degrees in May He said that about 400 students graduating in the School of Business used the school's placement office.
for the School of Business
Leibengoond said many of the jobs journalism students find come from contacts faculty members have, notices from publications or companies that the school has dealt with before or who have hired KU graduates in the past. Journalism faculty members have a wealth of contacts with employers that are valuable to the students, he said.
year. He said that because few recruiters visited the campus, many students had to make personal contacts with employers to find jobs.
Madus said that by May, about 144 recruiters would have visited the School of Business
The University's reputation brings the recruitors to campus. Once they
Glenn works primarily with placement for the School of Education. The prime months for students to find teaching jobs were February
Students should have a file ready when recruiters arrive for on-campus interviews. The file should include a resume, the copy of the student's transcript, and letters of reference.
Resumes are important, Madaus said, because they open doors and increase students' chances of being granted interviews.
but Gunn said, "Paperwork is just part of it. Once you get an invitation, you need to think about the interview."
HE SAID STUDENTS should research and become familiar with the company or employer. They also should think how they would fit into a particular company.
Madaus said students should know themselves and their resumes.
"The interview time is crucial," he said. "When an employer says 'tell me about yourself,' the students
See CAREERS, p. 13, col. 1
Lawrence profits from graduation
Bv MIKE GREEN
Staff Reporter
Senors aren't the only ones who look forward to graduation Lawrence merchants savor the event as well.
The ceremony draws hundreds of relatives to Lawrence, and those relatives mean plenty of business for the city.
KU graduation weekend, which is May 18-19 this year, is one of the busiest times of the year, a Lawrence Chamber of Commerce official said.
Judy Billings, the director of the Lawrence Conventions and Visitors Bureau, said graduation weekend was comparable to Lawrence's other big moneymaking events — football weekends.
She said the chamber wasn't sure how much money was brought in on graduation weekend but estimated that each set of parents might spend $100 a day in food and gas and other items.
One thing is for sure — it will be hard to find a motel with a vacancy sign in Lawrence that weekend. Billings said most or all of Lawrence's 720 motel rooms would be full.
MOST OF THESE motel rooms were reserved months in advance. Karen Mies Hansen, the manager of the All Season Motel 230 in Iowa State University, booked for graduation weekend six months ago. In fact, she said, some
people made reservations for this year's graduation while they were in college.
The La Casa Inn, 2222 West Sixth St., has a similar story to tell. Raylaene McCurdy, the front office manager, said all 110 rooms had been reserved by November. In case someone is hoping to take advantage of a sudden cancellation, she said, the inn had a long waiting list.
McCurdy also said many of the reservations had been made by people last May.
"If Lawrence had a 1,000 more motel rooms," she said. "it could probably fill them on this weekend."
presents the team's second "BOTH MIES HANSEN and McCurdy compared graduation to football weekends in terms of the demand for motel rooms. And the business boom also extends to restaurants.
Caroline Neal, the bookkeeper for Don's Steak House, 2176 East 23rd St., said business at the restaurant almost doubled on graduation week. The difference in graduation day might be even bigger than those on football weekends.
"On Sunday evening we will be nacked." Neal said.
The manager of the Eldridge House. Seventh and Massachusetts streets, said his business tripled on graduation day Chuck Barnett, the manager, said the Eldridge House probably would serve 300 people on May 19 - making it the busiest day of the year for his restaurant.
See CITY, p. 13, col. 6
INSIDE
Looking back
Above all, commencement is tradition. In 1928, students smoked pipes with faculty to symbolize ending hostilities. Today, there are other traditions, some silly, some serious and some a bit of each. Page 3.
Senior pranks
Commencement brings its own special pranks, as students release years of pressure. Page 9.
Finding a job
KU's 5.000 1985 graduates enter the job market soon. For a look at their prospects, see pages 5-7.
COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE
Friday. May 17
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Caps, gowns, tassles and hoods can be picked up at Allen Field House. They can also be picked up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the field house
Saturday, May 18
4 • 19 m - Minority Graduation Ranquet, Big Eight Room, Kansas Union
6 • 30 m - All University Supper, Kansas Union Ballroom
Sunday, May 19
8 a.d. m. — Senior breast pain, Rensselaer University
Description for graduate orWhannell's residence
- Sunday morning and afternoon - Receptions at professional schools.
- 9:30 a.m. — Reception for graduates at character’s resource.
* 10:30 a.m. and afternoon — Recertifications at professional schools.
- Sunday morning and afternoon - Receptions at professional schools
- 6:30 p.m - Graduates and faculty gather on Dajawk Boulevard to entertain
- 7 n.m. — Commencement begins in Memorial Stadium