Ok, and now for something a bit different than my other thread. Let's pile on the statistics!

For those who have graduated college, let's put a realistic image for soon-to-be-grads (common for our genre to overestimate). I know this board has a more than average number of computer geeks, but this will serve as a good reference.

When you graduated college, what was your first job as? How was the pay and benefits. What was your degree level and major in?

Graduated in 1995 from a small liberal arts private college in Michigan.

1st job was as a inside insurance agent/sales rep in a call center. Great company and benefits. Made about $28k-$30k.

Still with the same company with much better pay and a much better job. But it was a start and gave me great experience.

I agree, many recent college grads expect to graduate and make the big bucks.

Graduated in 1997 from Wake Forest University with a B.S. in chemistry.
Graduated in 2001 from Duke University with a Ph.D. in chemistry.
First job = scientist in a contract research organization, salary ~ $65k plus benefits

I've got to admit to all those on the fence...get a graduate degree. You will thank yourself down the road for many reasons!

Graduated in 1988 with a B.A. in Computer Science from an IL university.

Got my 1st degree-related job in 1989 as a mainframe Cobol programmer making $24K/yr, fortune 500 company, excellent benefits. Got the job through the want-ads.

me - graduated recently with an MIS degree, CS minor, got a job at a large bank in a new training program for top graduates to be "groomed" for a career in IT management...currently make under 40K but when i finish the program i will be getting more - hopefully!!! the benefits here are excellent, insurance, great 401k and tution payment.

my SO - graduated with me, same degree...got a position at a large healthcare company. they are recovering from a major scandal and laid off/lost a lot of people. he was able into a training program with them only making 30K but with 10K raise each year for the next 3 years. his beneifts are about equal, his insurance is cheaper, and they don't pay for grad school but do pay for certifications.

we live in the south east, so we are easily able to live on our incomes. so far we are both happy with our positions and look to stay with these companies for a while.

I have a BA in Liberal Arts. My first job out of college was as a Flight Attendant (research project), at $32k a year. My first *real* job was a year later, at a software design firm for $35k + major options and other benefits.

Graduated from U of Delaware in 2000 w/ a BS in Finance. Started work for a financial information company at 32K plus bonus, now making 52K plus bonus...but I really can't stand my job.

Graduated from Univ of Maryland with DIS degree in 2001
Work at mortgage company writing softwares, started at $35K, now making $59K

Good benefits, 401k, 4 weeks vacation (5 weeks now), 100% tuition reimbursement, unlimited sickdays (every monday)....

BSBA in Finance/economics 1999.

1st job was a staff accountant for a large company at 23k. good benefits, though, 100% medical, dental, vision. Also 401k, 3 weeks vacation, stock options (could never use them before i left because of the lousy market.)

Graduated 2001 BA Biology.
Graduating 2005 DDS. Expecting 80-100k first year out.