Hi Jennifer
Sounds like you are making great use of the surveys. From a research point of view I always think there is more to do with the data in terms of analysis and also acting on the information. I'm a qualitative researcher so all data to me is valuable. Just a thought to push to the next step. Best wishes, Susan
Susan-
With the graduate surveys, Career Services compiles all results and implements ideas,... Before any info is disbursed, I read over the surveys and make appropriate notations. These surveys are kept in binders according the grad dates.
Admissions loves the grad at work board! It is located in the direct path of their tour and is always a topic of conversation for prospectives. Career Services is working to compile a binder of testimonials for display in our lobby and also in their office. That is a great idea in using this info for flyers and mailers as well.
Thanks- Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Sounds like you are implementing surveys very well. Just wondering who compiles the data, summarizes results, and then distributes for feedback. Great having a graduation ceremony. I find they are great public relations tools and also bring people to the school who might enroll. Your "grad at work" bulletin board is also wonderful. Do the admissions reps know to bring prospective students by to see it? Ever think of creating a brochure with all your successful grads? Can be a mailer or posted on your web site.
Best wishes,
Susan
We complete surveys at a variety of points. Every phase students are asked to complete surveys which includes information on every area of school operation including placement services. When they exit they are completing surveys and follow-up is done regularly after graduation. We also hold an annual graduation ceremony and a survey is distributed at that time as well. We have started a "Grad at Work" bulletin board. This displays our graduates with a testimonial and a picture of them on the job. It is a great topic of discussion for not only prospective students, but also for current students as well.
Hi
You have identified an interesting challenge - getting survey response back. Sounds like you have also discovered the solution - keep after them. Meet with people. Eventually grads and employers will see the benefit of getting the information. Maybe an alumni org will help too. Best wishes
Susan
We have implemented several surveys, graduate exit counseling; employer surveys; and a follow-up graduate survey after 90 days.
The graduate exit counseling form asks the graduate to critique the program, i.e., what they enjoyed most and what they enjoyed least about the program. This provides the managemnet team with insight on how to better the program. This benefits the current student body and in the long run makes the graduate's degree more valuable because the program has been improved due to their input. It offers the graduate a sense of ownership over the program.
Both the employer and follow up graduate surveys provide the placement department and the college as a whole with excellent information when it is returned to us. The employer survey offers a critique of the skills the graduate has learned in school. Again, this information provides the management team with the necessary information to update and improve the program as needed. However, we have had a problem in obtaining this information from the employer due to their busy schedules. The placement department has done site visits in order to obtain this information, but more and more graduates are taking positions out of state. It can be a difficult dilemma to get this information returned.
The same holds true for our graduate surveys. The grads are busy in their new careers and life outside of the college experience. We are hard pressed to receive the information back from the graduate. One of the ways the placement department has attempted to overcome this obstacle is by informing the students that we are required to track them for a period of one year following graduation. This works for our department because we have developed a relationship with the students over the course of their schooling.
Sounds like you are getting feedback from grads and also employers. Are you keeping any statistics? Do you use the information to improve your placement services or curriculum? It is interesting that you are not keeping in touch with grads who are not seeking employment. Are these grads already working or did they enroll with no employment goals in mind? I think that information gathered from them could be very interesting.
Good thoughts.
Susan
We have surveys in place now to keep calling graduates who are actively seeking work so that we talk to each one within any two week period. We also talk to employers we know have interviewed our student or graduate for feedback on how they did as well as feedback from the student or graduate on what they thought of the employer and position open. We do not at this time do ongoing surveys of graduates not seeking employment although it would mostly mean sending out postcards for feedback. This would be another way to make sure they are happy in their field of choice.
