Graduate and employer surveys
We have changed our surveys numerous times throughout the years. It seems to me the longer the survey the less we get returned. Any feedback or comments?
John,
Keeping in touch with grads is a major challenge. Schools that have active Alumni Communities have it a bit easier. Grads enjoy services offered to Alumni plus the attention and involvement. They want to be sure the school has their updated contact info. SASE are an interesting way to get information - as long as you have the right address. Sometimes organizing a phone team works - assuming you have updated phone numbers. The career services job requires a lot of hand holding. Good news is that it pays off. Grads get jobs, you know where they are working, and ideally you can contact their employers too. Great job. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
My school surveys the graduates for information about their job placements. School needs to know who is working and where for the annual accrediting reports. Those grads who don’t reply by mail (we provide self-addressed stamped envelopes to encourage an easy return) get follow up calls. We need to account for everyone, so we are pretty diligent in the following up by any means necessary – using facebook messages, calling grandmothers, and the other references they have provided. If we find out the graduate is not working, we offer immediate and urgent assistance. We use the provided employer information to invite them to our advisory boards. From the advisory board involvement, it just snowballs to business tours, speaking engagements, and exclusive job opportunities. Successfully placed graduates make the best ever advertisements for a school – grad is happy, employer is happy, school is happy! The brief graduate survey brings in a wealth of valuable information.
Amy,
We totally agree. It is important to survey grads, employers, and more. It is essential to make the information gathering as easy and quick as possible. Of course what is really great is if you can engage employers in conversation to find out in detail what they are looking for in a work-ready employee. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree that sometimes getting the information over the phone is the easiest and sometimes gets great information if they say the first thing that pops into their mind instead of thinking too much about their responses. the shorter the better with the surveys because most students and employers do not want to take the time to fill them out.
Thomas,
We also find that long surveys don't get much response. Sometimes you can get feedback by making the survey completion a requirement. Some schools have success by having people call the student or grad and ask for feedback on the phone. There are many ways to gather information. Of great importance is that results are analyzed and shared with others at your school so improvements can be made. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
