Results of a followup employment survey of 1979 physics and astronomy graduates are summarized. The employment-oriented graduates were asked in the winter of 1979-80 to describe their positions and comment on the extent to which they were satisfied with the start of their careers. Data on how long it takes a graduate to secure initial and potentially permanent employment indicates that the demand for physics degree recipients has increased at all degree levels. Changes in occupational status of new physics and astronomy graduates over a six-month period are indicated, and characteristics of employed physicists and astronomers who have doctorates are specified. The subfield chosen for the dissertation appears to influence the type of employment more than any of the other characteristics; less influential but noteworthy characteristics appear to be citizenship and age. Information is also provided on factors influencing the length of postdoctoral fellowships for 1978-79 doctoral-level physicists, employers of doctoral graduates who accepted potentially permanent positions, background characteristics and the employment status of 1978-79 masters degree recipients, and the time spent by employed masters to secure their initial employment. The data indicate that older graduates and those from master's institutions secure positions faster, and that there is a demand for teachers. Characteristics of bachelors-level physics graduates that influence the time required to secure employment, and the jobs obtained by bachelors-level astronomy graduates are also indicated. (SW)