2019 GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY SURVEY – CLASS OF 2017: A VERY GOOD EMPLOYMENT RATE OF RECENT SCIENCES PO GRADUATES
The 2019 Graduate Employability Survey follows up with the graduating class of June 2017 18 months after graduation.
82% of respondents decided to enter the workforce (compared to 81.3% in the 2018 Graduate Employability Survey).
91% of graduates who decided to enter the job market are currently working (compared to 90.7% in the 2018 survey).
87% found their first job less than six months after graduating (compared to 83.7% in the 2018 survey).
70% of new graduates in employment work in the private sector (compared to 68.7% in the 2018 survey).
34% are working outside France (34% in 2018).
The average gross annual salary (excluding bonuses) is €38.6K (compared to €37K in the 2018 survey).
The 2019 Sciences Po Graduate Employability Survey was conducted by the Sciences Po Careers Service with the scientific oversight of Roberto Galbiati (Professor of economics at Sciences Po and CNRS) and the expertise of the Centre for Socio-Political Data (CDSP).
1,575 graduates participated, representing a response rate of 66%.
Maintaining successful employment outcomes for our graduates
82% of respondents decided to enter the workforce. This does not show a significant change from the 2018 survey. 91% of graduates who decided to enter the job market are currently working (in employment, internship, business creation or civil service graduate training)
13% are continuing their studies in higher education (compared to 16% in the 2018 survey) 5% decided not to enter the labour market immediately (personal project, travel, sabbatical year)
87% of graduates in employment found a job within six months of graduating (compared to 84% in the 2018 survey), including 44% before graduation (a 5% increase compared to the previous year).
The proportion of stable jobs (permanent contract, civil servant, international civil servant or public sector contract staff) increased compared to the 2018 survey, from 72% to 76%.
The average gross annual salary (excluding bonuses) increased from €37.1K to €38.6K. The average salary of graduates employed abroad is still higher than that of graduates working in France. The average gross annual salary outside France also increased from €37.4K (class of 2016) to €40.6K (class of 2017).
A range of jobs as varied as ever
Overall, the distribution of jobs by sector has changed little. 69% of employed graduates are working in the private sector (compared to 71% in 2016), 22% in the public sector (compared to 21% in 2016) and 9% in an international organisation (compared to 8% in 2016).
The class of 2017 has again demonstrated the wide range of job opportunities open to our graduates, reflecting the diversity of knowledge that Sciences Po pursues through its seven graduate schools. Graduates hold positions in sectors such as Audit/Consulting, Public Administration, Banking/Finance/Insurance, Industry/Energy/Transport, Marketing/Communication, NGOs/Non-profit sector, International Organisations, Publishing/Journalism, Education/Research, Urban Planning/Regional Development, Commerce/Retail, Culture/Cinema, and Law. The recently added sector, Technology, Data, IT, employs 4% of graduates.
As in the previous year, 34% of Sciences Po graduates found their first job abroad in one of 77 different countries. This wide distribution of graduates reflects the international diversity of the Sciences Po student body. The international employment rate is partly due to international students returning to their home country, but also to the 21% of French students who find their first job abroad.
The importance of internships and networks to finding employment
Among the respondents, 40% emphasised the importance of internships and gaining professional experience to finding their first job. Personal networks also represent significant opportunities for 17% of respondents.
Students on apprenticeship and dual degree programmes
Students on apprenticeship programmes find employment relatively quickly: the majority (59%) find a job even before graduation, compared to 42% for students on other programmes. For dual degree students (17% of recent graduates) the types of employment contracts and ability to quickly find work are similar, but salaries are higher than for other graduates (13% higher excluding bonuses).
Well-being at work
For the first time, the survey included questions on the well-being of our graduates at work. The vast majority (86%) are either satisfied or very satisfied with their job. The satisfaction rate is close to 77% for working conditions, workplace environment and autonomy, and 55% for remuneration. Finally, more than 85% of graduates say they are satisfied with their professional relationships.
About Sciences Po
Sciences Po is a selective research university of international standing based on the values of openness and excellence. Sciences Po’s unique academic model combines expertise in the humanities and social sciences, multidisciplinarity and a professional grounding to educate professionals and citizens able to understand and transform society. Diversity is a key element of Sciences Po’s identity. The student body comprises 47% international students from 150 different countries and 27% scholarship students, up from 6% in 2000.
