Spring 1997

Placement statistics show changing times in career options

While General Motors is still king, an increasing number of small, high-tech companies are hiring Rose-Hulman graduates, according to a survey conducted by the Office of Career Services and Employer Relations.

"High-tech firms form the segment of the economy that’s been hiring to meet expanding needs during the past five years," says Bill Lindstaedt, Rose-Hulman’s director of career services.

The survey reflects that trend. Showing on a list of the top 20 employers of Rose-Hulman graduates from the past five years were Qualcomm, Inc., a San Diego-based communications technology company; Sagian, Inc., an Indianapolis laboratory automation and robotics firm; and Software Engineering Professionals, an Indianapolis software development company operated by Jeff Gilbert (M.E., ‘85).

General Motors Corp. was No. 1, continuing a long tradition as the top employer of Rose-Hulman graduates. Other companies on the list were the Ford Motor Co., Eli Lilly and Co., Motorola, Chrysler Corp., Dow Chemical Co., Andersen Consulting, General Electric, Cummins Engine Company, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Caterpillar Inc., Milliken & Company, Dwyer Instruments Inc. and the U.S. Navy.

"Surprisingly, governmental agencies ranked high on the list," Lindstaedt said. "Many of the high-tech companies may only hire two of three graduates a year, and many colleges don’t bother with them. But they’re very important to us and our graduates. Times have changed dramatically in areas of career recruitment. Very few corporations are still looking to hire 15 to 20 graduates a year from any particuluar college."