Flathead Valley Community College graduates set a record with 98 percent finding employment, according to a new survey of 2003-2004 graduates.

For the sixth year, more than 95 percent of job-seeking graduates found jobs. Wages averaged $12 to $12.99 per hour for all degree and certificate recipients.

Karen Darrow, student placement coordinator at the career center, said the college has several services that help graduates find jobs. She said internships give students an inside track on jobs after graduation.

"About 50 to 60 percent of students find jobs through their internships," she said.

Darrow said the improving Montana economy played a role in higher wages and employment rates. She noted the state rose from 47th to 44th in national wage and salary comparisons due to hubs of economic growth such as the Flathead Valley.

Even with a healthy economy, both students and graduates tap the career center's resources from individual job searches to workshops and online resume and job postings.

"I work with [high school] students in Running Start finding part-time jobs up through alumni who have been laid off," Darrow said.

The center's career counselor, Charlene Herron, helps students investigate and choose the field of study best suited to their talents and the local job market as profiled in the annual graduate survey.

Darrow said an aggregate of five years of surveys presents the best data on wages and graduate employment success. Although this survey spiked at 98 percent employed, she considers the six-year, 95 percent figure, more accurate.

For 2003-2004 graduates, the center sent out 290 surveys in several mailings. The staff netted 267 responses, or 92 percent, through extensive follow-up.

Darrow said she makes a lot of telephone calls to graduates, which also helps identify former students having problems finding employment.

"I see if I can help," she said. "For example, I do mock interviews with students."

More than 300 employers have posted jobs with the college's online service since September. Currently, more than 50 jobs are available.

Darrow said she still strongly encourages job-seekers to "pound the pavement" along with using high-tech, online searches. She said face-to-face, repeated contact pays off.

"I believe people create their own luck," she said.

According to the survey, the luckiest 2003-2004 graduate earned a degree in business management, which commanded the highest wage of $16 to $16.99.

Students who transferred to other institutions with associate's degrees reported the next highest compensation at $15 to $15.99 per hour.

Community college students with accounting majors were hired for $13 to $13.99 an hour. The first students completing the radiologic technology program also reported starting jobs at $13 to $13.99 per hour.

Of graduates earning certificates, surgical technology and heavy equipment graduates received the top compensation at $13 to $13.99 an hour. A medical transcription certificate holder commanded $12 to $12.99 an hour.

The lowest wage reported was $7 to $7.99 by one graduate with an associate's degrees specializing in small business. A number of fields paid entry wages of $8 to $8.99 including building trades, human services and natural resource management.

In office occupations, medical secretaries found jobs paying $11 to $11.99 per hour while legal and word-processing positions started at $8 to $8.99.

A graduate in medical coding commanded a wage of $10 to $10.99. Seven graduates found jobs paying $9 to $9.99 as medical assistants.

According to the survey, 97 percent of the graduates found employment in Montana. Of those, 95 percent found jobs in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties.

"FVCC is proud to offer programs that allow our graduates to be successful in finding good paying jobs here in our region," FVCC President Jane Karas said.

The survey also found that the majority planned to stay in Montana to either continue their education or to work.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com