Graduate employment and labour market 2019

GRADUATE
EMPLOYMENT
AND LABOUR
MARKET
2019
1

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR MARKET 2019
FOREWORD 5
SURVEY METHODOLOGY 7
OVERVIEW
Italian Master of Science graduates 1 year from graduation
A comparison: Italian MSc graduates, international MSc graduates and BSc graduates
8
10
16
IN DETAIL
18
Time to enter the job market 20
Contractual aspects
22
Work context
24
Satisfaction with studies
26
FOCUS BY AREA
Architecture
Design
Engineering
28
36
44
2
3

Studying at Politecnico di Milano is a guarantee of stable employment and fast inclusion in the
labour market. Numbers do not lie, as it appears clearly from the latest employment survey and the
data collected in this publication. A positive result for our students. Over 40,000 students who,
despite a very competitive international education scene, still choose our university. Their interest
and commitment is what we wish to nurture in our classrooms and we are proud that employers
recognize and appreciate its value. We work every day in close contact with these companies to
improve the educational offer and make it more responsive to the country’s need for innovation.
For the fifth consecutive year, the employment rate of the Master of Science graduates at
Politecnico has increased. According to the latest survey, 94% of graduates find work within a year
from the end of their studies, compared to 91% of five years ago. But there is more: over 90% of
graduates find a job that is in line with their degree within 6 months from graduation. In addition
to being employed, our graduates are also satisfied: if they were to go back, almost 90% would still
choose Politecnico di Milano.
It is this sense of belonging and open dialogue that allows us to grow. For this reason, we monitor the
careers of our Alumni 3 and 5 years after graduation. To verify over time the return of investment
in studying at Politecnico; to analyse the strength of the skills acquired at university and applied in
the world of work; to create a great community that values talent and that, today more than ever,
is by our side in supporting the projects of the university.
Ferruccio Resta
Rector
Politecnico di Milano
4
5

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Every year Politecnico di Milano carries out an employment survey on graduates one year after
degree completion, in order to verify the effectiveness of the educational path in the world of work
and to address the right professional guidance purposes.
SAMPLE OF ITALIAN BACHELOR GRADUATES OF 2017
There are 1,789 graduates with a Laurea (Bachelor) who chose not to continue their studies in 2017
(29% of total BSc graduates). 1,387 (Males 66%; Females 33%) people answered the survey.
The response rate was 77%
SAMPLE OF ITALIAN MASTER GRADUATES OF 2017
There are 3,923 graduate students who obtained a Laurea Magistrale (Master) in 2017.
3,039 (Males 64%; Females 36%) people answered the survey.
The response rate was 77%
SAMPLE OF INTERNATIONAL MASTER GRADUATES OF 2017
There are 1,070 graduates who obtained a Laurea magistrale (Master) in 2017.
669 (Males 55%; Females 45%) people answered the survey.
The response rate was 62%.
This survey was made at the beginning of 2019 through mixed method (CAWI: online and CATI: phone). Graduates
were asked to answer a multiple choice questionnaire of about 20 questions.
LEGEND:
Starting from +2% compared to the 2018 survey
Starting from -2% compared to the 2018 survey
6
7

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES 1 YEAR FROM GRADUATION
83%
ARE EMPLOYEES
For the fifth consecutive year, the employment rate of Master of Science graduates of Politecnico di
Milano has increased. According to the latest survey, 94% of graduates find a job within a year from
the end of their studies, compared to 91% of 5 years ago. Compared to last year’s survey, employment
has increased by 1%.
It should be noted that the majority (92%) of MSc graduates is employed already six months from
graduation. Among them, almost 30% found a a job that is consistent with their degree even before
graduation day.
EMPLOYED
1 YEAR AFTER
GRADUATION
94%
AMONG THOSE EMPLOYED, 92% FIND
A JOB WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND 26% IS
ALREADY EMPLOYED UPON GRADUATION
10
HAVE A
PERMANENT CONTRACT
Among the employees, that represent the majority (83%) of recent graduates who are engaged in
work, over 50% hold a permanent work contract. This number has risen by 6 percentage points compared
to the previous year.
12 months after graduation, a recent graduate from the Politecnico earns an average of 1500 net euros
per month, a figure that is quite stable compared to the previous survey (+49 euros).
€1,549
11
53%
IS THE NET
MONTHLY SALARY

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES 1 YEAR FROM GRADUATION
95%
ARE EMPLOYEES IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Almost all graduates of Politecnico di Milano work in the private sector, mainly in Italy (88%). The
number of Italian graduates who decide to work in Italy has increased by 1 percentage point.
88%
WORK
IN ITALY
Small and medium-sized companies have hired more than half of the Italian Master graduates, although
this figure (60%) is slightly decreasing (-5%), in favour of medium-large companies
WORK IN A SMALL-
MEDIUM ENTERPRISE
60%
12
13

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES 1 YEAR FROM GRADUATION
88%
WOULD CHOOSE THE
POLITECNICO AGAIN
84%
ARE SATISFIED WITH
THEIR STUDIES
90%
HAVE A JOB THAT FITS
WITH THEIR STUDIES
Recent graduates are very satisfied with their choice to study at Politecnico di Milano. Regardless of
employment status, 88% of MSc graduates would enrol again in a study program of the university.
Among those who are employed, satisfaction with the chosen study program (+3%) and its ability to
prepare for current employment (+1%) has increased compared to the previous survey.
14
15

OVERVIEW
A COMPARISON: ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES, INTERNATIONAL MSc GRADUATES AND BSc GRADUATES
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
TIME TO ENTER THE JOB MARKET 1
WORK CONTEXT
Italian MSc
graduates
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
Italian MSc
graduates
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
Employed
1 year after graduation
Of which employed
within 6 months
Of which
already employed
at graduation date
Employment status:
employee
Type of contract:
permanent
Net monthly salary
94%
92%
87% 88%
26% 39% 28%
Italian MSc
graduates
83%
53%
83%
CONTRACTUAL ASPECTS
International MSc
graduates
88%
56%
82%
BSc
graduates
85%
41%
€1,549 €1,549 €1,382
Employed in the
private sector
95% 86%
95%
Degree
fits work 4 90% 91% 73%
Employed in a SME
(up to 250 employees)
60% 60% 73%
Work in Italy
88% 40%
93%
SATISFACTION WITH STUDIES
Italian MSc
International MSc
BSc
graduates
graduates
graduates
Satisfied with
Politecnico di Milano 2
88%
79%
80%
Satisfied with
specific degree
84% 82%
72%
1
Including graduates who found a job in line with their studies before graduation
16
2
Percentage of graduates who would enrol again at the Politecnico; 3 Education and training acquired at the university is adequate for the current job; 4 In order to
carry out their job, they need their qualification or an equivalent one
17

IN DETAIL

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
TIME TO ENTER THE JOB MARKET
EMPLOYED 1 YEAR AFTER GRADUATION
EMPLOYED 6 MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
Italian MSc
graduates 86% 91% 97%
Italian MSc
graduates
International MSc
graduates
86%
77%
92%
89%
94%
85%
BSc
graduates
77%
70%
90%
International MSc
graduates 79% 90% 91%
Please note: percentage calculated on those employed 1 year after graduation
EMPLOYED AT GRADUATION DATE
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
Italian MSc
graduates
23%
51%
24%
BSc
graduates 83% 81% 95%
International MSc
graduates
26%
57%
41%
BSc
graduates
33%
13%
33%
Please note: percentage calculated on those employed 1 year after graduation
20
21

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
CONTRACTUAL ASPECTS
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: EMPLOYEE
TYPE OF CONTRACT
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
Italian MSc
International MSc
BSc
Italian MSc
graduates
47%
83%
93%
Permanent
27%
40%
57%
42%
62%
61%
28%
21%
52%
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
74%
66%
88%
83%
95%
95%
Fixed-term
32%
22%
15%
40%
25%
28%
30%
23%
11%
NET MONTHLY SALARY
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
Apprenticeship
12%
26%
22%
1%
7%
6%
20%
19%
32%
Italian MSc
graduates
€1,199
+€11
€1,381
+€32 +€45
€1,663
Internship
17%
9%
2%
5%
0%
3%
12%
26%
4%
International MSc
graduates
-€268
+€121
€1,181 €1,668 €1,721
-€25
BSc
graduates
€1,233
-€68 +€44 +€17
€1,180
€1,534
Other 1
12%
3%
4%
12%
6%
2%
10%
11%
1%
¹ project-based; occasional collaboration
Architecture Design Engineering
22
23

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
WORK CONTEXT
EMPLOYED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
EMPLOYEES
Italian MSc
graduates
91% 96% 95%
1-250
94%
71%
50%
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
84%
86%
89%
94%
85%
98%
Italian MSc
graduates
251-1000
+1000
1-250
4%
11%
15%
2%
18%
35%
85%
50%
49%
Italian MSc
graduates
WORK IN ITALY
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
86% 90% 88%
International MSc
graduates
251-1000
+1000
9%
13%
15%
6%
37%
36%
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
33%
43% 43%
93% 93% 93%
BSc
graduates
1-250
251-1000
+1000
92%
82%
62%
2%
11%
15%
6%
7%
23%
Architecture Design Engineering
24
25

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
SATISFACTION WITH STUDIES
SATISFIED WITH POLITECNICO DI MILANO 1 SATISFIED WITH SPECIFIC DEGREE 2
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ENGINEERING
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
Italian MSc
graduates
80%
85%
91%
Italian MSc
graduates
International MSc
graduates
76%
79%
89%
87%
85%
83%
BSc
graduates
60%
78%
74%
International MSc
graduates
79%
77%
81%
ARCHITECTURE
DEGREE FITS WORK3
DESIGN
ENGINEERING
Italian MSc
graduates
91%
85%
90%
BSc
graduates
78%
80%
81%
International MSc
graduates
BSc
graduates
93%
67%
85%
68%
92%
78%
1
Percentage of graduate students who would enroll again at Politecnico
2
Education and training acquired at the university is adequate for the current job
3
In order to carry out their job, they need their qualification or an equivalent one
26
27

Architecture and Urban Design
Architectural Design and History
ARCHITECTURE
Architecture - Built Environment - Interiors
Progettazione dell’Architettura
Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design
Architettura - Architettura delle Costruzioni
Urban Planning and Policy Design
Urbanistica: Città, Ambiente e Paesaggio

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ARCHITECTURE
EMPLOYED
1 YEAR AFTER
GRADUATION
83%BSc
86%
GRADUATES
79%
ITALIAN
MSc GRADUATES
INTERNATIONAL
MSc GRADUATES
30
31

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ARCHITECTURE
EMPLOYEES SALARY *
47%
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES
Permanent
27%
€1,333 €1,157
* net/month
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
32%
12%
17%
12%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
EMPLOYEES
74%
SALARY *
* net/month
INTERNATIONAL MSc GRADUATES
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Permanent
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
42%
40%
1%
5%
12%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE * WHERE THEY WORK
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Private *
Public
91%
8%
Non Profit 1%
* Field: Architecture, Design and Interior Design,
Building and Construction
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
89%
8%
3%
Italy 73%
Europe 24%
America/Asia 3%
Private * 84%
Public 12%
Non profit 4%
* number of employees * France, Germany, United Kingdom, The
* Field: Architecture, Design and Interior Design * number of employees
Netherlands
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
80%
11%
9%
Italy
Europe
Asia
America
Africa
19%
40%
30%
7%
4%
SELF-EMPLOYED
53%
SALARY * ACTIVITY
WHERE THEY WORK
SELF-EMPLOYED SALARY *
79% Freelancers
Italy 98%
€1,081 €1,249
* net/month
Field: Architecture
Europe
2%
26%
* net/month
ACTIVITY
75% Freelancers
Field: Architecture
WHERE THEY WORK
Italy
Europe
Asia
America/
Asia
73%
12%
10%
5%
32
33

OVERVIEW
DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ARCHITECTURE
BSc GRADUATES
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES BY GENDER
EMPLOYEES SALARY * TYPE OF CONTRACT
66%
SECTOR
€1,255
* net/month
Permanent
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
28%
30%
20%
12%
10%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Employed
1 year after graduation
Of which employed within 6
months
MALE
86%
91%
FEMALE
86%
82%
Private * 86%
Public 12%
Non Profit 2%
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
88%
4%
8%
Italy
Europe
Oceania
91%
7%
2%
Of which already employed
at graduation date
29%
19%
* Field: Architecture, Design and Interior Design,
Building and Construction
* number of employees
Employment status:
employee
49% 46%
SELF-EMPLOYED
34%
SALARY *
€1,191
* net/month
ACTIVITY
WHERE THEY WORK
76% Freelancers Italy 98%
Europe 2%
Field: Architecture
Type of contract:
permanent
Net monthly salary
34% 22%
€1,323
€1,116
34
35

Communication Design
Design & Engineering
DESIGN
Design for the Fashion System
Integrated Product Design
Interior and Spatial Design
Product Service System Design
Design della Moda
Design del Prodotto Industriale
Design degli Interni

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
DESIGN
EMPLOYED
1 YEAR AFTER
GRADUATION
90%BSc
91%
GRADUATES
81%
ITALIAN
MSc GRADUATES
INTERNATIONAL
MSc GRADUATES
38
39

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
DESIGN
83%
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES
EMPLOYEES SALARY * TYPE OF CONTRACT
Permanent
40%
€1,387
* net/month
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
22%
26%
9%
3%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
EMPLOYEES SALARY *
88%
Permanent
62%
€1,707
* net/month
INTERNATIONAL MSc GRADUATES
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
25%
7%
6%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE * WHERE THEY WORK
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Private *
Public
96%
3%
Non Profit 1%
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
65%
14%
21%
Italy 88%
Europe 10%
America/Asia 2%
Private *
Public
89%
11%
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
43%
15%
42%
Italy
Europe
Asia
America
39%
20%
35%
6%
* Field: Design and Interior Design, Industrial Design * number of employees * Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland
* Field: Design and Interior Design, IT consulting * number of employees
SELF-EMPLOYED
17%
SALARY *
€1,353
* net/month
ACTIVITY
SALARY *
€1,382
* net/month
ACTIVITY
79% Freelancers Italy 100%
73% Freelancers
Field: Design and Interior Design,
Industrial Design
WHERE THEY WORK
SELF-EMPLOYED
12%
Field: Design and Interior Design
WHERE THEY WORK
Italy
Europe
Asia
73%
9%
18%
40
41

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
DESIGN
BSc GRADUATES
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES BY GENDER
EMPLOYEES SALARY * TYPE OF CONTRACT
83%
SECTOR
€1,133
* net/month
Permanent
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
21%
23%
19%
26%
11%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Employed
1 year after graduation
Of which employed within 6
months
MALE
88%
95%
FEMALE
93%
89%
Private *
Public
94%
5%
Non Profit 1%
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
80%
12%
8%
Italy
Europe
Oceania
93%
6%
1%
Of which already employed
at graduation date
53%
49%
* Field: Design and Interior Design,
Communication, Graphics and Advertising
* number of employees
Employment status:
employee
77%
86%
SELF-EMPLOYED
SALARY *
ACTIVITY
WHERE THEY WORK
Type of contract:
permanent
57%
32%
17%
85% Freelancers
Italia 94%
€1,409
* net/month
Field: Design and Interior Design,
Industrial Design
Europa
6%
Net monthly salary
€1,522 €1,303
42
43

Electrical Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Automation and Control Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Building and Architectural Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering for Risk Mitigation
Civil Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Energy Engineering
Engineering Physics
ENGINEERING
Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Environmental and Land Planning Engineering
Ingegneria dei Sistemi Edilizi
Ingegneria della Prevenzione e della Sicurezza nell’Ind. di Processo
Ingegneria Edile - Architettura
Management Engineering
Management of Built Environment
Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology
Mathematical Engineering
Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale
Ingegneria del Prodotto Industriale
Ingegneria Edile e delle Costruzioni
Mechanical Engineering
Telecommunication Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Space Engineering

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ENGINEERING
EMPLOYED
1 YEAR AFTER
GRADUATION
97%
ITALIAN
MSc GRADUATES 91%
INTERNATIONAL
MSc GRADUATES
95%BSc
GRADUATES
46
47

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ENGINEERING
93%
€1,674
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES
EMPLOYEES SALARY * TYPE OF CONTRACT
* net/month
Permanent
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
57%
15%
22%
2%
4%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
EMPLOYEES SALARY *
95%
€1,735
* net/month
INTERNATIONAL MSc GRADUATES
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Permanent
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
61%
28%
6%
3%
2%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE * WHERE THEY WORK
SECTOR
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Private *
Public
95%
5%
* Field: Mechanical and Plant Engineering,
Automotive, Heavy Industry and Metalworking,
Electronics and Automation, Building and
Construction, Energy, Oil&Gas, Strategy and
Business Consulting, IT consulting
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
46%
16%
38%
Italy
Europe
America
88%
10%
2%
Private * 85%
Public 13%
Non Profit 2%
* number of employees * Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France,
* Field: Heavy Industry and Metalworking,
* number of employees
The Netherlands
Automotive, Building and Construction
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
47%
16%
37%
Italy
Europe
America
Asia
Africa
43%
30%
15%
11%
1%
SELF-EMPLOYED
7%
SALARY * ACTIVITY
WHERE THEY WORK
SELF-EMPLOYED SALARY *
€1,521
€1,431
67% Freelancers
Italy 98%
30%
Europa 2%
40%
* net/month Field: Building and Construction
* net/month
5%
ACTIVITY
Freelancers
Individual company
Field: Building and Construction
WHERE THEY WORK
Italy
Europa
Asia
America
39%
23%
23%
15%
48
49

OVERVIEW
IN DETAIL
FOCUS BY AREA
ENGINEERING
95%
BSc GRADUATES
EMPLOYEES SALARY * TYPE OF CONTRACT
SECTOR
Permanent
52%
€1,536
* net/month
Fixed-term
Apprenticeship
Internship
Other*
11%
32%
4%
1%
* Integration contract / by project / occasional collaboration
COMPANY SIZE *
WHERE THEY WORK
Employed
1 year after graduation
Of which employed within 6
months
ITALIAN MSc GRADUATES BY GENDER
MALE
FEMALE
97% 97%
94%
92%
Private *
Public
98%
2%
1-250
251-1.000
+1.000
60%
15%
25%
Italy
Europe
America
93%
5%
2%
Of which already employed
at graduation date
25%
23%
* Field: Automotive, Electronics and Automation,
Mechanical and Plant Engineering, Heavy Industry
and Metalworking, IT consulting, Strategy and
Business Consulting
* number of employees
Employment status:
employee
93%
92%
SELF-EMPLOYED
SALARY *
ACTIVITY
WHERE THEY WORK
Type of contract:
permanent
59%
52%
5%
43% Freelancers
Italy 96%
€1,496
* net/month
31%
Individual company
Europe
4%
Net monthly salary
€1,710 €1,539
50
51

2019 Employment Survey of 2017 graduetes. The employment survey is carried out by the Career Service, in collaboration with the
Assessment commission office and the Alumni Association of Politecnico di Milano.

Printed in June 2019