Summary of the Career Services First-Destination Survey

Summary of the Career Services First-Destination Survey

December 2013 and May 2014 Graduates

Office of Institutional Research

Central Michigan University

December 2014

Summary:

The information contained in this document summarizes the data collected from those undergraduate students who graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2013 and May 2014. These two groups constitute a total of 3,521 graduates. Of these graduates, 388 completed the First-Destination Survey Online. An additional 274 were successfully contacted via phone and completed the phone survey, resulting in a combined response of 662 graduates, or 18.80%. Employment information on an additional 1,381 graduates was found using social media, increasing the combined responses to 2,043 and the response rate to 58%.Respondents did not differ from the graduate population in GPA, sex, race, or department. Therefore this sample does not appear biased. Based on the results of this survey, 82% of respondents are employed either full- or part-time six months after graduating from CMU, while an additional 14% choose to continue their education.

There are two important notes to consider when interpreting the results of this document.

For December 2013 graduates, the survey was administered only online. For May 2014 graduates, the online survey was administered online and via phone. Social media searches were conducted for December 2013 and May 2014 graduates. This report contains only this information (online and social media data for December 2013 and May 2014 graduates and phone data for May 2014 graduates).

Due to constraints of the delivery mediums, the online and phone surveys differ. Some questions appear only on the Online Survey.These questions are marked as such and are not displayed according to College in order to preserve the anonymity of those contained in the smaller sample.

Demographics: Response Rates by GPA, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity

Graduates / Online Respondents / Phone Respondents / Social Media / Combined Respondents / Difference
Total n / 3521 / 388 / 274 / 1381 / 2043 / 1478
Cumulative GPA
Mean / 3.23 / 3.31 / 3.32 / 3.20 / 3.28 / -0.05
SD / 0.433 / 0.407 / 0.418 / 0.424 / 0.416 / 0.02
Gender
Male / 1416 / 40% / 128 / 33% / 98 / 36% / 591 / 43% / 817 / 40% / 0%
Female / 2105 / 60% / 260 / 67% / 176 / 64% / 790 / 57% / 1226 / 60% / 0%
Race/Ethnicity
Nonresident alien / 36 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 3 / 1% / 19 / 1% / 22 / 1% / 0%
Hispanic/Latino / 80 / 2% / 5 / 1% / 6 / 2% / 34 / 3% / 45 / 2% / 0%
American Indian or Alaska Native / 35 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 5 / 2% / 14 / 1% / 23 / 1% / 0%
Asian / 37 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 17 / 1% / 25 / 1% / 0%
Black or African American / 181 / 5% / 21 / 5% / 17 / 6% / 58 / 4% / 38 / 5% / 0%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0%
White / 2900 / 82% / 330 / 85% / 222 / 81% / 1146 / 83% / 1698 / 83% / -1%
Two or more races / 40 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 5 / 2% / 14 / 1% / 23 / 1% / 0%
Race and ethnicity unknown / 204 / 6% / 20 / 5% / 12 / 4% / 79 / 6% / 111 / 5% / 1%

Note: Difference is the difference in Graduates - Combined Respondents. Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that graduated from the given group (row).

Demographics: Response Rates by College and Department

Graduates / Online Respondents / Phone Respondents / Social Media / Combined Respondents / Difference
College
Business Administration / 597 / 17% / 50 / 13% / 29 / 11% / 263 / 19% / 342 / 16% / 1%
Communication and Fine Arts / 384 / 11% / 34 / 9% / 42 / 15% / 184 / 13% / 260 / 13% / -2%
Education and Human Services / 442 / 13% / 51 / 13% / 31 / 11% / 172 / 13% / 254 / 12% / 0%
Global Campus / 267 / 8% / 38 / 10% / 28 / 10% / 95 / 7% / 161 / 8% / 0%
H.H. & G.A. Dow College of Health Professions / 409 / 12% / 55 / 14% / 19 / 7% / 171 / 12% / 245 / 12% / 0%
Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences / 824 / 23% / 96 / 25% / 80 / 29% / 287 / 21% / 463 / 23% / 0%
Science and Technology / 598 / 17% / 64 / 16% / 45 / 16% / 209 / 15% / 318 / 16% / 1%
Department
Accounting, School of / 80 / 2% / 7 / 2% / 6 / 2% / 38 / 3% / 51 / 2% / 0%
Art and Design / 52 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 7 / 3% / 23 / 2% / 32 / 2% / -1%
Biology / 189 / 5% / 24 / 6% / 12 / 4% / 72 / 5% / 108 / 5% / 0%
Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, School of / 84 / 2% / 3 / 1% / 6 / 2% / 42 / 3% / 51 / 2% / 0%
Business Information Systems / 43 / 1% / 5 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 20 / 1% / 27 / 1% / 0%
Chemistry and Biochemistry / 25 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 6 / 0% / 14 / 1% / 0%
Communication and Dramatic Arts / 80 / 2% / 7 / 2% / 11 / 4% / 41 / 3% / 59 / 3% / 0%
Communication Disorders / 75 / 2% / 16 / 4% / 7 / 3% / 21 / 2% / 44 / 2% / 0%
Computer Science / 61 / 2% / 11 / 3% / 3 / 1% / 23 / 2% / 37 / 2% / 0%
Counseling and Special Education / 78 / 2% / 7 / 2% / 14 / 5% / 29 / 2% / 50 / 2% / 0%
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences / 29 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 9 / 1% / 13 / 1% / 0%
Economics / 12 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 7 / 1% / 7 / 0% / 0%
Engineering and Technology, School of / 94 / 3% / 5 / 1% / 10 / 4% / 34 / 1% / 49 / 2% / 0%
English Language and Literature / 100 / 3% / 12 / 3% / 14 / 5% / 34 / 3% / 60 / 3% / 0%
Entrepreneurship / 72 / 2% / 2 / 1% / 5 / 2% / 32 / 2% / 39 / 2% / 0%
Graduates / Online Respondents / Phone Respondents / Combined Respondents / Difference
Finance and Law / 67 / 2% / 8 / 2% / 3 / 1% / 25 / 2% / 36 / 2% / 0%
Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures / 21 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 11 / 1% / 15 / 1% / 0%
Geography / 25 / 1% / 3 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 9 / 1% / 16 / 1% / 0%
Global Campus / 267 / 8% / 38 / 10% / 28 / 10% / 95 / 7% / 161 / 8% / 0%
Health Sciences, School of / 227 / 6% / 27 / 7% / 8 / 3% / 107 / 8% / 142 / 7% / -1%
History / 50 / 1% / 5 / 1% / 4 / 1% / 20 / 1% / 29 / 1% / 0%
Human Environmental Studies / 250 / 7% / 34 / 9% / 15 / 5% / 90 / 7% / 139 / 7% / 0%
Interdepartmental / 54 / 2% / 8 / 2% / 1 / 0% / 24 / 2% / 33 / 2% / 0%
Interdisciplinary / 344 / 10% / 43 / 11% / 24 / 9% / 129 / 9% / 196 / 10% / 0%
Journalism / 60 / 2% / 7 / 2% / 4 / 1% / 29 / 2% / 40 / 2% / 0%
Management / 87 / 2% / 6 / 2% / 3 / 1% / 38 / 3% / 47 / 1% / 0%
Marketing and Hospitality Services Administration / 189 / 5% / 15 / 4% / 9 / 3% / 81 / 6% / 105 / 5% / 0%
Mathematics / 65 / 2% / 6 / 2% / 4 / 1% / 18 / 1% / 28 / 1% / 1%
Music, School of / 40 / 1% / 5 / 1% / 6 / 2% / 13 / 1% / 24 / 1% / 0%
Philosophy and Religion / 10 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 1% / 4 / 0% / 6 / 0% / 0%
Physical Education and Sport / 83 / 2% / 10 / 3% / 1 / 0% / 35 / 3% / 46 / 2% / 1%
Physics / 2 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0%
Political Science and Public Administration / 58 / 2% / 7 / 2% / 6 / 2% / 21 / 2% / 34 / 2% / 0%
Psychology / 243 / 7% / 22 / 6% / 26 / 9% / 84 / 6% / 132 / 6% / 1%
Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration / 110 / 3% / 10 / 3% / 2 / 1% / 52 / 4% / 64 / 3% / 0%
RMS - Athletic Training Program / 24 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 3 / 1% / 8 / 1% / 13 / 1% / 0%
Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work / 171 / 5% / 21 / 5% / 18 / 7% / 57 / 4% / 96 / 5% / 0%

Note: Difference is the difference in Graduates - Combined Respondents. Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that graduated from the given group (row).

Office of Institutional Research1

Question 1: What is your employment status?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Employed full-time / 67 / 85% / 54 / 71% / 51 / 62% / 21 / 28% / 79 / 45% / 65 / 60% / 49 / 74% / 386 / 58%
Employed part-time / 3 / 4% / 10 / 13% / 15 / 18% / 16 / 22% / 36 / 20% / 14 / 13% / 7 / 11% / 101 / 15%
Self-employed / 1 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 3% / 1 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 3% / 6 / 1%
Student / 4 / 5% / 6 / 8% / 5 / 6% / 29 / 39% / 33 / 19% / 14 / 13% / 3 / 5% / 94 / 14%
Military / 1 / 1% / 2 / 3% / 1 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 4 / 1%
Not employed
(seeking employment) / 3 / 4% / 4 / 5% / 8 / 10% / 5 / 7% / 26 / 15% / 12 / 11% / 3 / 5% / 61 / 9%
Not employed
(not seeking employment) / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 2% / 1 / 1% / 2 / 1% / 4 / 4% / 2 / 3% / 11 / 2%
Total / 79 / 76 / 82 / 74 / 177 / 109 / 66 / 663

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Employment was discovered through Social Media for some of the individuals who did not respond to the Online or Phone Survey.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Employed full-time / 215 / 82% / 162 / 88% / 153 / 89% / 146 / 85% / 251 / 88% / 172 / 82% / 89 / 94% / 1188 / 86%
Student / 48 / 18% / 22 / 12% / 19 / 11% / 25 / 15% / 36 / 12% / 37 / 18% / 6 / 6% / 193 / 14%
Total / 263 / 184 / 172 / 171 / 287 / 209 / 95 / 1381

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 2: How satisfied are you with your current employment status?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Extremely Dissatisfied / 7 / 9% / 8 / 9% / 6 / 7% / 9 / 13% / 25 / 15% / 9 / 8% / 3 / 5% / 67 / 10%
Somewhat Dissatisfied / 5 / 6% / 11 / 13% / 11 / 13% / 5 / 7% / 21 / 12% / 11 / 10% / 10 / 15% / 74 / 11%
Neutral / 2 / 3% / 5 / 6% / 18 / 22% / 13 / 19% / 26 / 15% / 14 / 13% / 6 / 9% / 84 / 13%
Somewhat Satisfied / 24 / 31% / 22 / 25% / 16 / 19% / 12 / 18% / 45 / 26% / 27 / 25% / 23 / 35% / 169 / 26%
Extremely Satisfied / 40 / 51% / 42 / 48% / 32 / 39% / 29 / 43% / 55 / 32% / 46 / 43% / 23 / 35% / 267 / 40%
Total / 78 / 88 / 83 / 68 / 172 / 107 / 65 / 661

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 3: Which category best describes the type of organization in which you currently work?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Education (K-12) / 1 / 1% / 10 / 15% / 22 / 31% / 4 / 9% / 39 / 28% / 20 / 24% / 3 / 4% / 99 / 18%
Education (post-secondary) / 2 / 3% / 3 / 4% / 2 / 3% / 1 / 2% / 8 / 6% / 6 / 7% / 1 / 1% / 23 / 4%
Finance, insurance, or real estate / 15 / 21% / 2 / 3% / 1 / 1% / 2 / 5% / 3 / 2% / 3 / 4% / 8 / 11% / 34 / 6%
Government (including law enforcement and military) / 2 / 3% / 3 / 4% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 2% / 8 / 6% / 2 / 2% / 6 / 8% / 23 / 4%
Guest services (e.g., lodging, restaurants) / 2 / 3% / 3 / 4% / 3 / 4% / 6 / 14% / 9 / 7% / 2 / 2% / 1 / 1% / 26 / 5%
Healthcare / 4 / 5% / 4 / 6% / 14 / 19% / 15 / 35% / 12 / 9% / 8 / 9% / 9 / 12% / 66 / 12%
Manufacturing / 8 / 11% / 1 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 3 / 2% / 5 / 6% / 5 / 7% / 22 / 4%
Media (e.g., television, arts, broadcasting) / 1 / 1% / 13 / 19% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 1% / 1 / 1% / 0 / 0% / 17 / 3%
Professional or business services / 9 / 12% / 6 / 9% / 3 / 4% / 2 / 5% / 7 / 5% / 4 / 5% / 6 / 8% / 37 / 7%
Sales / 9 / 12% / 9 / 13% / 6 / 8% / 4 / 9% / 9 / 7% / 2 / 2% / 2 / 3% / 41 / 7%
Science and technology (e.g., engineering, programming) / 5 / 7% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 21 / 25% / 4 / 5% / 30 / 5%
Social services / non-profit / 1 / 1% / 2 / 3% / 8 / 11% / 3 / 7% / 11 / 8% / 1 / 1% / 8 / 11% / 34 / 6%
Transportation / public utilities / 5 / 7% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 1% / 2 / 3% / 9 / 2%
Other / 9 / 12% / 12 / 18% / 12 / 17% / 5 / 12% / 26 / 19% / 9 / 11% / 18 / 25% / 91 / 16%
Total / 73 / 68 / 72 / 43 / 138 / 85 / 73 / 552

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 4: What was the required level of education to obtain your current position?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Some high school / 0 / 0% / 1 / 1% / 2 / 3% / 2 / 4% / 6 / 4% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 2% / 13 / 2%
High school diploma / 6 / 8% / 8 / 12% / 13 / 18% / 14 / 31% / 26 / 19% / 10 / 12% / 13 / 22% / 90 / 17%
Some college / 1 / 1% / 6 / 9% / 4 / 6% / 2 / 4% / 11 / 8% / 10 / 12% / 3 / 5% / 37 / 7%
Associate's degree / 1 / 1% / 1 / 1% / 8 / 11% / 2 / 4% / 2 / 1% / 3 / 4% / 13 / 22% / 30 / 6%
Bachelor's degree / 59 / 81% / 49 / 73% / 36 / 51% / 18 / 40% / 68 / 50% / 56 / 67% / 22 / 38% / 308 / 58%
Graduate or professional degree / 0 / 0% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 2% / 7 / 5% / 1 / 1% / 2 / 3% / 13 / 2%
None / 6 / 8% / 1 / 1% / 7 / 10% / 6 / 13% / 17 / 12% / 3 / 4% / 4 / 7% / 44 / 8%
Total / 73 / 67 / 71 / 45 / 137 / 84 / 58 / 535

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 5: How satisfied are you with your current position?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Extremely Dissatisfied / 7 / 10% / 4 / 6% / 3 / 4% / 4 / 9% / 11 / 8% / 2 / 2% / 3 / 5% / 34 / 6%
Somewhat Dissatisfied / 3 / 4% / 3 / 4% / 11 / 15% / 7 / 16% / 16 / 12% / 8 / 10% / 11 / 19% / 59 / 11%
Neutral / 6 / 8% / 4 / 6% / 11 / 15% / 8 / 18% / 22 / 16% / 8 / 10% / 6 / 11% / 65 / 12%
Somewhat Satisfied / 23 / 32% / 20 / 30% / 20 / 28% / 15 / 33% / 46 / 34% / 27 / 32% / 19 / 33% / 170 / 32%
Extremely Satisfied / 34 / 47% / 36 / 54% / 26 / 37% / 11 / 24% / 42 / 31% / 39 / 46% / 18 / 32% / 206 / 39%
Total / 73 / 67 / 71 / 45 / 137 / 84 / 57 / 534

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 6: How closely does your academic major at CMU relate to your current position?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Not at all related / 8 / 11% / 10 / 15% / 12 / 17% / 15 / 33% / 37 / 27% / 10 / 12% / 13 / 22% / 105 / 20%
Slightly related / 4 / 5% / 4 / 6% / 3 / 4% / 3 / 7% / 15 / 11% / 9 / 11% / 7 / 12% / 45 / 8%
Somewhat related / 7 / 10% / 7 / 10% / 4 / 6% / 4 / 9% / 16 / 12% / 7 / 8% / 12 / 21% / 57 / 11%
Moderately related / 16 / 22% / 17 / 25% / 15 / 21% / 6 / 13% / 20 / 15% / 13 / 15% / 11 / 19% / 98 / 18%
Extremely related / 38 / 52% / 29 / 43% / 37 / 52% / 17 / 38% / 48 / 35% / 45 / 54% / 15 / 26% / 229 / 43%
Total / 73 / 67 / 71 / 45 / 136 / 84 / 58 / 534

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 6A: What is the main reason you are not working in a field related to your major at CMU?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Count
Never planned to work in my field / 0 / 0%
Developed a new career interest / 2 / 4%
Desired higher pay / 2 / 4%
Could not find a suitable job related to my major / 33 / 65%
Would have to relocate for a job in my field / 3 / 6%
Desired increased opportunity for advancement / 1 / 2%
Have not obtained required license, registration, or certification for my field / 8 / 16%
Other / 2 / 4%
Total / 51

Question 7: Based on your academic major at CMU, how prepared were you for your current position?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.
This question appeared Online only for those who indicated employment in Question 1.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Not at all prepared / 3 / 4% / 1 / 2% / 2 / 3% / 4 / 9% / 20 / 15% / 1 / 1% / 7 / 12% / 38 / 7%
Slightly prepared / 5 / 7% / 3 / 5% / 5 / 7% / 5 / 11% / 14 / 10% / 7 / 8% / 6 / 11% / 45 / 8%
Somewhat prepared / 9 / 12% / 11 / 17% / 6 / 9% / 5 / 11% / 17 / 13% / 19 / 23% / 9 / 16% / 76 / 14%
Moderately prepared / 29 / 40% / 25 / 38% / 17 / 24% / 14 / 32% / 34 / 25% / 32 / 38% / 11 / 19% / 162 / 31%
Extremely prepared / 27 / 37% / 26 / 39% / 40 / 57% / 16 / 36% / 51 / 38% / 25 / 30% / 24 / 42% / 209 / 39%
Total / 73 / 66 / 70 / 44 / 136 / 84 / 57 / 530

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 8: How important are the following skills to performing your current job successfully?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.
This question appeared only for those who indicated employment in Question 1.

Not at all important / Slightly important / Somewhat important / Moderately important / Extremely important / Total
Verbal communication / 0 / 0% / 3 / 1% / 11 / 4% / 35 / 12% / 239 / 83% / 288
Written communication / 7 / 2% / 15 / 5% / 40 / 14% / 77 / 27% / 147 / 51% / 286
Math / statistics / 39 / 14% / 76 / 27% / 66 / 23% / 65 / 23% / 39 / 14% / 285
Information gathering / 8 / 3% / 17 / 6% / 31 / 11% / 78 / 27% / 154 / 53% / 288
Critical thinking / 6 / 2% / 18 / 6% / 25 / 9% / 64 / 22% / 174 / 61% / 287
Using computer technology / 16 / 6% / 19 / 7% / 25 / 9% / 85 / 30% / 143 / 50% / 288
Leadership / 10 / 3% / 17 / 6% / 55 / 19% / 75 / 26% / 129 / 45% / 286
Planning and organizing / 7 / 2% / 10 / 3% / 24 / 8% / 61 / 21% / 186 / 65% / 288
Interpersonal skills / 2 / 1% / 8 / 3% / 14 / 5% / 54 / 19% / 209 / 73% / 287

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated importance for each skill, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 171 respondents who rated Information Gathering, 5% rated it as slightly important).

Question 9: What is your annual income (before taxes) from your primary employment?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.
This question appeared Online only for those who indicated employment in Question 1.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Less than $20,000 / 3 / 5% / 11 / 19% / 19 / 30% / 19 / 50% / 47 / 42% / 20 / 27% / 3 / 6% / 122 / 26%
$20,000 to $29,999 / 7 / 11% / 15 / 26% / 13 / 20% / 8 / 21% / 21 / 19% / 14 / 19% / 4 / 8% / 82 / 18%
$30,000 to $39,999 / 16 / 25% / 18 / 31% / 26 / 41% / 8 / 21% / 27 / 24% / 15 / 20% / 9 / 18% / 119 / 26%
$40,000 to $49,999 / 17 / 26% / 11 / 19% / 5 / 8% / 1 / 3% / 8 / 7% / 7 / 9% / 10 / 20% / 59 / 13%
$50,000 to $59,999 / 17 / 26% / 1 / 2% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 3% / 5 / 5% / 9 / 12% / 11 / 22% / 44 / 10%
$60,000 to $69,999 / 3 / 5% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 2% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 1% / 8 / 11% / 2 / 4% / 15 / 3%
Over $70,000 / 2 / 3% / 2 / 3% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 3% / 2 / 2% / 1 / 1% / 12 / 24% / 20 / 4%
Total / 65 / 58 / 64 / 38 / 111 / 74 / 51 / 461

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 10: Where are you currently employed?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.
This question appeared Online only for those who indicated employment in Question 1.
This question was open-ended. For all responses to this question, see Appendix A.

Question 11: What, if any, further education have you pursued since graduating from CMU?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Count
Graduate degree / 112 / 27%
Certification program / 27 / 6%
Additional bachelor's degree / course(s) / 3 / 1%
Associate's degree / 3 / 1%
Job training / professional development program / 58 / 14%
Other educational plan / 13 / 3%
None of the above / 205 / 49%
Total / 421

Note: Responses to this question are not mutually exclusive. Respondents selected all that applied to them. Therefore, percentages describe the proportion of responses endorsing an education option compared to the total number of responses.

Question 11A: What type(s) of degree are you currently pursuing?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.
This question was asked only of those who indicated they were pursuing further education in Question 11.

Count
Professional certificate / 22 / 14%
Associate's degree / 3 / 2%
Bachelor's degree / 3 / 2%
Master's degree / 91 / 57%
Doctoral degree / 23 / 14%
Other / 19 / 12%
Total / 161

Question 12: Do you plan to eventually...

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Count
Obtain a graduate or professional degree / 280 / 46%
Obtain certification through college course work / 39 / 6%
Obtain certification through non-college work / 44 / 7%
Obtain another bachelor’s degree / 12 / 2%
Take additional college courses / 65 / 11%
Take professional development courses / 122 / 20%
I have no plans to continue my education / 46 / 8%
Total / 608

Question 12B: What specific degree / certification are you currently pursuing?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.
This question was asked only of those who indicated they were pursuing further education in Question 12.
This question was open-ended. For all responses to this question, see Appendix B.

Question 13: How helpful has CMU been in your…

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Not at all
helpful / Slightly
helpful / Somewhat helpful / Moderately helpful / Extremely helpful / Total
Intellectual growth / 10 / 3% / 17 / 4% / 38 / 10% / 150 / 39% / 173 / 45% / 388
Personal growth / 12 / 3% / 20 / 5% / 40 / 10% / 102 / 26% / 214 / 55% / 388
Preparation for further education / 24 / 6% / 27 / 7% / 67 / 17% / 132 / 34% / 138 / 36% / 388
Preparation for a career / 24 / 6% / 41 / 11% / 66 / 17% / 134 / 35% / 123 / 32% / 388

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated helpfulness for each growth type, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 388 respondents who rated Personal Growth, 26% rated it as moderately helpful).

Question 14: How helpful has CMU been in your development of the following skills?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Not at all
helpful / Slightly
helpful / Somewhat helpful / Moderately helpful / Extremely helpful / Total
Verbal communication / 15 / 4% / 16 / 4% / 44 / 12% / 155 / 41% / 151 / 40% / 381
Written communication / 12 / 3% / 17 / 4% / 48 / 13% / 169 / 44% / 136 / 36% / 382
Math / statistics / 38 / 10% / 48 / 13% / 104 / 28% / 102 / 28% / 74 / 20% / 366
Information gathering / 9 / 2% / 17 / 4% / 62 / 16% / 142 / 37% / 153 / 40% / 383
Critical thinking / Quantitative reasoning / 8 / 2% / 26 / 7% / 48 / 13% / 127 / 33% / 174 / 45% / 383
Using computer technology / 24 / 6% / 43 / 12% / 96 / 26% / 99 / 27% / 109 / 29% / 371
Leadership / 19 / 5% / 34 / 9% / 73 / 19% / 105 / 28% / 144 / 38% / 375
Planning and organizing / 12 / 3% / 24 / 6% / 59 / 16% / 127 / 34% / 155 / 41% / 377
Interpersonal skills / 13 / 3% / 20 / 5% / 54 / 14% / 136 / 36% / 154 / 41% / 377

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated helpfulness in development for each skill, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 377 respondents who rated CMU’s helpfulness in the development of Planning and Organizing skills, 5% rated it as slightly helpful).

Question 15: How satisfied are you with the following at CMU?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Extremely dissatisfied / Somewhat dissatisfied / Neutral / Somewhat satisfied / Extremely satisfied / Total
Availability of required courses in your major / 20 / 5% / 41 / 11% / 41 / 11% / 155 / 41% / 119 / 32% / 376
Extent to which coursework prepared you for employment / 17 / 5% / 29 / 9% / 59 / 18% / 114 / 35% / 106 / 33% / 325
Extent to which coursework prepared you for graduate or professional school / 29 / 9% / 21 / 7% / 66 / 21% / 88 / 28% / 112 / 35% / 316
Opportunities to participate in internships or practicums / 33 / 9% / 29 / 8% / 64 / 18% / 94 / 27% / 129 / 37% / 349
Teaching ability of faculty / 12 / 3% / 25 / 7% / 51 / 13% / 172 / 45% / 121 / 32% / 381
Professional expertise of faculty / 8 / 2% / 17 / 4% / 45 / 12% / 142 / 37% / 171 / 45% / 383
Ability of faculty to provide academic guidance / 19 / 5% / 25 / 7% / 53 / 14% / 136 / 35% / 151 / 39% / 384
Ability of faculty to provide career guidance / 32 / 8% / 38 / 10% / 72 / 19% / 114 / 30% / 121 / 32% / 377
Ability of career services advisors to provide career guidance / 38 / 12% / 45 / 14% / 66 / 21% / 87 / 28% / 80 / 25% / 316

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated satisfaction for each facet, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 381 respondents who rated the Teaching Ability of Faculty, 32% were extremely satisfied).

Question 16: While attending CMU, did you participate in any of the following experiences?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Campus employment / 30 / 12% / 40 / 16% / 36 / 15% / 29 / 12% / 55 / 22% / 57 / 23% / 1 / 0% / 248
Capstone course / 43 / 25% / 30 / 18% / 15 / 9% / 9 / 5% / 39 / 23% / 30 / 18% / 4 / 2% / 170
Clinical experience / Student teaching / 2 / 2% / 8 / 7% / 31 / 27% / 24 / 21% / 28 / 24% / 21 / 18% / 1 / 1% / 115
Co-curricular activities / 6 / 19% / 8 / 25% / 5 / 16% / 3 / 9% / 9 / 28% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 3% / 32
Fraternity or sorority / 13 / 19% / 13 / 19% / 7 / 10% / 10 / 15% / 19 / 28% / 6 / 9% / 0 / 0% / 68
Honors thesis / 18 / 18% / 21 / 21% / 12 / 12% / 5 / 5% / 25 / 25% / 20 / 20% / 1 / 1% / 102
Internship / 43 / 20% / 32 / 15% / 31 / 14% / 34 / 16% / 41 / 19% / 30 / 14% / 4 / 2% / 215
Intramural sports / 22 / 14% / 16 / 10% / 19 / 12% / 25 / 16% / 38 / 24% / 20 / 12% / 21 / 13% / 161
Off-campus employment / 21 / 14% / 16 / 11% / 19 / 13% / 22 / 15% / 41 / 28% / 26 / 18% / 2 / 1% / 147
Research project with a faculty member / 18 / 10% / 31 / 17% / 29 / 16% / 15 / 8% / 46 / 25% / 43 / 23% / 1 / 1% / 183
Student club / organization / 36 / 14% / 29 / 11% / 37 / 14% / 45 / 18% / 66 / 26% / 43 / 17% / 1 / 0% / 257
Student government / 1 / 3% / 6 / 18% / 5 / 15% / 3 / 9% / 13 / 38% / 5 / 15% / 1 / 3% / 34
Student teaching / 1 / 25% / 1 / 25% / 1 / 25% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 25% / 0 / 0% / 4
Study abroad / 89 / 13% / 120 / 18% / 87 / 13% / 43 / 7% / 170 / 26% / 121 / 18% / 31 / 5% / 661
Varsity sports / 0 / 0% / 1 / 25% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 50% / 1 / 25% / 0 / 0% / 4
None of the above / 15 / 13% / 8 / 7% / 11 / 10% / 4 / 3% / 28 / 24% / 15 / 13% / 34 / 30% / 115

Note: Because activities are not mutually exclusive, percentages describe the proportion of respondents who indicated participation in each activity within each College (e.g., of those 215 respondents participating in an internship, 15% graduated from CCFA).

Question 17: Where did you complete your internship?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.
This question appeared Online only for those who indicated participation in an internship in Question 16.
This question was open-ended. For all responses to this question, see Appendix C.

Question 18: How helpful were these experiences in obtaining your current position?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Not at all
helpful / Slightly
helpful / Somewhat helpful / Moderately helpful / Extremely helpful / Total
Study abroad / 18 / 26% / 5 / 7% / 9 / 13% / 11 / 16% / 26 / 38% / 69
Internship / 13 / 8% / 10 / 6% / 15 / 9% / 34 / 20% / 101 / 58% / 173
Clinical work / 15 / 26% / 3 / 5% / 3 / 5% / 7 / 12% / 29 / 51% / 57
Capstone course / 28 / 21% / 14 / 10% / 19 / 14% / 36 / 27% / 38 / 28% / 135
Honors thesis / 17 / 40% / 2 / 5% / 5 / 12% / 9 / 21% / 9 / 21% / 42
Research project with a faculty member / 15 / 19% / 4 / 5% / 8 / 10% / 16 / 21% / 34 / 44% / 77
Campus employment / 27 / 15% / 17 / 10% / 35 / 20% / 34 / 19% / 63 / 36% / 176
Off-campus employment / 19 / 13% / 14 / 10% / 23 / 16% / 39 / 27% / 47 / 33% / 142
Varsity sports / 9 / 53% / 1 / 6% / 2 / 12% / 1 / 6% / 4 / 24% / 17
Intramural sports / 63 / 50% / 21 / 17% / 21 / 17% / 9 / 7% / 11 / 9% / 125
Student government / 15 / 48% / 6 / 19% / 2 / 6% / 3 / 10% / 5 / 16% / 31
Fraternity or sorority / 12 / 17% / 6 / 8% / 12 / 17% / 15 / 21% / 27 / 38% / 72
Student teaching / 10 / 14% / 5 / 7% / 2 / 3% / 11 / 15% / 44 / 61% / 72
Co-curricular activities (e.g., plays) / 14 / 26% / 6 / 11% / 6 / 11% / 12 / 23% / 15 / 28% / 53
Other student club / organization / 25 / 11% / 21 / 9% / 35 / 15% / 68 / 29% / 83 / 36% / 232

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated helpfulness for each activity, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 72 respondents who rated the Student Teaching, 15% rated the activity as moderately helpful)

Question 19: What is your total student loan debt?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Count
None / 71 / 19%
Less than $5,000 / 13 / 4%
$5,001 to $10,000 / 13 / 4%
$10,001 to $15,000 / 21 / 6%
$15,001 to $20,000 / 21 / 6%
$20,001 to $30,000 / 70 / 19%
$30,001 to $40,000 / 53 / 15%
$40,001 to $50,000 / 50 / 14%
Over $50,000 / 53 / 15%
Total / 365

Question 20: What is your overall attitude toward CMU?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Extremely negative / 1 / 2% / 0 / 0% / 0 / 0% / 1 / 3% / 1 / 1% / 1 / 2% / 0 / 0% / 4 / 1%
Somewhat negative / 3 / 7% / 1 / 2% / 2 / 5% / 0 / 0% / 6 / 6% / 1 / 2% / 1 / 3% / 14 / 4%
Neutral / 4 / 9% / 6 / 13% / 1 / 2% / 2 / 6% / 6 / 6% / 5 / 8% / 3 / 8% / 27 / 7%
Somewhat positive / 11 / 26% / 12 / 25% / 16 / 36% / 8 / 24% / 28 / 28% / 17 / 28% / 10 / 27% / 102 / 28%
Extremely positive / 24 / 56% / 29 / 60% / 25 / 57% / 23 / 68% / 58 / 59% / 37 / 61% / 23 / 62% / 219 / 60%
Total / 43 / 48 / 44 / 34 / 99 / 61 / 37 / 366

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 21: What is your impression of the educational quality at CMU...

This question was asked only of Online respondents.

Extremely negative / Somewhat
negative / Neutral / Somewhat
positive / Extremely positive / Total
In your major department / 8 / 2% / 28 / 7% / 19 / 5% / 127 / 33% / 200 / 52% / 382
Across all departments / 10 / 3% / 34 / 9% / 74 / 19% / 179 / 46% / 88 / 23% / 385

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of respondents who rated the quality for each department cluster, grouped by rating (e.g., of those 385 respondents who rated quality Across All Departments, 23% rated their impression as extremely positive).

Question 22: If you could start over again, would you still choose to attend CMU?

This question was asked of both Online and Phone respondents.

CBA / CCFA / CEHS / CHP / CHSBS / CST / GC / Total
Definitely no / 3 / 7% / 0 / 0% / 2 / 5% / 1 / 3% / 5 / 5% / 2 / 3% / 1 / 3% / 14 / 4%
Probably no / 5 / 12% / 2 / 4% / 0 / 0% / 3 / 9% / 5 / 5% / 3 / 5% / 0 / 0% / 18 / 5%
Unsure / 3 / 7% / 1 / 2% / 2 / 5% / 1 / 3% / 8 / 8% / 4 / 7% / 2 / 5% / 21 / 6%
Probably yes / 11 / 26% / 13 / 27% / 10 / 23% / 9 / 26% / 24 / 24% / 9 / 15% / 9 / 24% / 85 / 23%
Definitely yes / 21 / 49% / 32 / 67% / 30 / 68% / 20 / 59% / 56 / 57% / 43 / 70% / 25 / 68% / 227 / 62%
Total / 43 / 48 / 44 / 34 / 98 / 61 / 37 / 365

Note: Percentages describe the proportion of people within the group (column) that selected the given option (row).

Question 23: What reasonable measures can be taken to improve the student experience at CMU?

This question was asked only of Online respondents.
This question was open-ended. For all responses to this question, see Appendix D.

Office of Institutional Research1

Career Services

Appendix A

Responses to Question 10: “Where Are You Currently Employed?”

Job Title / Company / City
1st grade teacher / North Branch Area School / North Branch
3rd Grade Teacher / Shepherd Public Schools / Shepherd
7th grade Language Arts Teacher / Mt. Holly Middle School / Mt. Holly