Troy, N.Y. - In spite of today's uncertain economic climate and less-than-stellar job market, many Rensselaer graduates - particularly the ones with degrees in engineering, computer science, information technology (IT), and management - are already landing high-profile positions and commanding top dollar for their services.

According to data gathered and analyzed (as of May 6) by Rensselaer's Career Development Center, students with bachelor's degrees in computer and systems engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and computer science are taking jobs with average starting salaries of $58,806, $54,772, $53,625, and $57,500, respectively. Graduates holding master's degrees in those fields are accepting positions with solid price tags as well: Those with M.S.'s in computer and systems engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science are reporting starting salaries of $67,000, $63,000, and $65,504. And IT majors aren't far behind; offers for students with bachelor's and master's degrees in that discipline are carrying average acceptance salaries of $51,044 and $62,500. Graduates with MBAs, however, lead the pack with an average starting salary of $70,000.

Rensselaer students also continue to attract some of the country's most well-respected employers. Top recruiters of the Class of 2003 include Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Northeast Utilities, Merck & Company, Intel, and IBM. One graduate, Soumeya Benghanem '03, who will receive a bachelor's in computer science, has already accepted a coveted $50,000-a-year spot in General Electric's Information Management Leadership Program.

Contact: Caroline Jenkins
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A