Fall 2008 Alumni Survey Assessment Day Presentation Office of Alumni and Development Fitchburg State College

History and methodology Academic, Administrative, and Student Affairs all need alumni feedback. Many academic departments do surveys for program evaluation and/or accreditation. ACT, 2005, $ Ruffalo-Cody, 2006, $12, Select Survey™, 2008, $ % of items alumni-office related, 33% academic/career related.

Sample and return rate Approximately 10,000 recent grads (within last three years) and Alumni Association members solicited via Contact magazine and alumni e- newsletter. Respondents = 257 (2.57%), 51 >2004, 206 <2004 – 2005, 25%; 2006, 32% Degree programs represented: – Bio, Business, Comm. Media, Computer Science, CJ, Econ., Education, EXSS, Geo/Earth Science, History, Human Services, ITEC, Math, Nursing, Poli. Sci., Psych., Sociology, “Other.”

Results – Alumni Affairs Satisfaction with communications from FSC. – 82% state that they feel “very” or “somewhat” in touch with the College. Participation in alumni activities. – 17% have actually attended alumni events. Interest in alumni events. – About 40% express interest in general and special reunions and networking or educational events.

Results – Student Affairs No specific items on the survey. Offers to speak, provide internships, recruit for jobs References in open-ended comments section. – Greek life – Student professional organizations – Other clubs and activities – Residence life (esp. service as an RA) – Disability services

Typical Academic Affairs Questions How many graduates go on to careers in their fields of study? How long does it take graduates to get their careers launched? How do graduates assess their earning power and how successful are they in their chosen fields? How many graduates go on for more formal education?

Results – Academic Affairs (I) High satisfaction (58% “very satisfied,” 31% “satisfied”) with education from FSC. Up to 85% claim to have worked full- or part- time in their fields of study; 61% still working in or retired from major fields. 32% had jobs on graduation, 34% found work within 6 months.

Results – Academic Affairs (II) Recent grads mostly entry-level or experienced professionals; less-recent grads advanced professionals, managers, and above. Recent grads more likely than less-recent grads to describe compensation as “below average” for their career fields (29% vs. 16%) 56% had at least some graduate study (39% recent, 60% less-recent).

Overall Not a lot for most individual programs. Some useful info and contact data for academic departments and College offices. Need better insight into liberal arts/social science “career tracks.” Need better outreach to recent graduates.

Questions