For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 07/28/03

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Graduates Find Employment in Rough Economy

Nearly 90% of University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) graduates this past year have already found employment, even though the job market has been burdensome for many around the country. USP’s graduates have obtained high-quality professional positions at some of the leading healthcare companies and providers in the region and beyond or have been accepted for advanced study on the day of graduation.

Patricia Peterson, director of career services at USP, says the rough economy that has gripped the nation is not having the same dismal affect on USP students heading into the health and sciences fields.

“It is so amazing how well our students have fared, given the state of the economy as a whole,” says Peterson. “The jobs they are getting are not part-time positions or jobs to tie them over. These are long-term positions that have tremendous responsibility that will take them a long way into their professional careers.”

According to the Summer 2003 issue of Salary Survey, a quarterly report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), new college graduates are receiving lower salary offers than they did just one year ago. USP students are able to command high salaries, according to Peterson, because there is many opportunities for those in health care.

“There is so much need for healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, medical technologists and physician assistants,” says Peterson. “This trend will continue as the graying of America continues. All the baby boomers are moving towards pre-retirement and retirement. People are living longer, they’re more concerned about their health and they realize the importance of medication. Students majoring in healthcare have so many opportunities, even when the economy is so bad.”

These employment opportunities are offered to USP students even before graduation. Each September, representatives from from major health organizations, such as Merck Medco, Astra Zeneca, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Pfizer, Eli Lily and others, converge on campus during a career fair to “aggressively recruit” USP’s senior students, according to Peterson. Some students receive job offers as early as December.

“Word is out in the industry that USP students are highly educated and bring skill sets that are intriguing to companies,” says Peterson. “Our students are heavily involved in internships, clerkships and research. People know that our students have a rigorous course of study, no matter what discipline or major they are in. We are science, and this is impressive to employers.”

The salary offers USP students received this past year was also impressive. According to NACE’s quarterly salary survey of colleges and universities across the country, the salary offers USP graduates attracted this year were well above the national average. Students in the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs have received salary offers of more than $40,000, while students in other programs, such as pharmacology/toxicology, health sciences, biology and chemistry received the same offers and even higher.

The shortage of pharmacists around the country has helped USP’s Doctor of Pharmacy graduates command salaries of more than $70,000. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, the U.S. armed forces and managed care companies scooped up USP’s pharmacy students at a feverish pace.

The success of USP’s students in the job market has been quite consistent each year, and Peterson does not see “an ebb and flow” for healthcare employment in the near future.
“The number of calls I have received for healthcare job openings this year as in other years has been overwhelming,” says Peterson. “It’s just an incredible field to get into these days. It’s amazing when you look at the high percentage of graduates we have who are working in top-level companies or deciding to further their education in graduate school. And I think it will only get better. USP’s name and reputation is already making it better.”

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America. USP specializes in educating students for rewarding careers through its undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs in the health and related sciences.

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