First Destination Survey
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Undergraduate Career Outcomes: 2022-2023
Undergraduate Career Outcomes (or First Destination Survey) provides insight into the various career paths students take upon graduation. Survey data are used to measure the effectiveness of programs, identify employment opportunities of SDSU graduates, and improve academic programs. Survey results also help identify career expectations and opportunities for prospective and current undergraduate students. Undergraduate Career Outcomes supports the SDSU mission by collecting student outcome data to ensure students received a rich academic experience that supports their personal and professional paths.
Methods
The survey was designed following recommendations from the .
The survey sections included:
- Student information
- Post-graduate plans
- Employment information
- Volunteer/Service information
- Military information
The survey was sent electronically to undergraduates applying for graduation four weeks prior to commencement. Students receive two reminders and departments encourage students to participate in the survey. After the survey closes, Departments are asked if they have any additional information on the career outcomes of their graduates who did not participate in the survey.
Reporting Changes
The 2022-2023 report uses Undergraduate Career Outcomes whereas in previous years the term was First Destination.
Terminology
This report uses Knowledge rate and career outcome rate as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
- Knowledge Rate the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ postgraduation career activities (or knowledge). The rate is expressed as: (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education + #still seeking employment & continuing education + #not seeking) / (total graduates). The sample size is noted by “n”.
- Career Outcomes Rate is expressed as: (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education) / (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education + #still seeking employment & continuing education).
Knowledge Rate
The survey was sent to 264 summer 2022, 461 fall 2022, and 1,121 spring 2023 undergraduates who applied for graduation. Of these, 362 students completed the survey (19.6% response rate) and Departments provided feedback on an additional 591 (32.0%) graduates for a combined knowledge rate of 51.6% (n=953).
Overall Undergraduate Career Outcome Rate
n=953
- 86.0% = Overall Career Outcome Rate
Post-Graduation Plans
n=953
- 61.4% = Employed Full-Time
- 1.1% = Employed Part-Time
- 22.8% = Enrolled in Continuing Education Program or Graduate School
- 5.3% = Planning to Continue Education but not yet Enrolled
- 6.2% = Seeking Employment
- 1.9% = Still Interviewing/Deciding between Job Offers
- 1.9% = Not Seeking Employment or Continuing Education/Graduate School
- 0.2% = Participating in a volunteer or service program (e.g., Peace Corps)
- 0.4% = Serving in the U.S. Military
- 1.6% = Enrolled as Undergraduate (e.g., second bachelors)
Primary Activity
n=358
- 90.0% = Felt their Primary Postgraduate Activity was Related to their SDSU Program of Study
- 79.0% = Felt the Postgraduate Activity Required the Completion of a Program or Degree
- 91.9% = Felt their Primary Activity Required the Use of Knowledge and Skills they Obtained through Their Education
- 62.4% = Perceived Their Primary Activity as an Entry Level Position
Employment Information
n=357
- 63.3% = Traditional Employer
- 2.8% = Entrepreneur/Self-Employed
- 5.3% = Temporary/Contract Work
- 5.6% = Postgraduate Internship or Fellowship
- 1.1% = Freelance
- 21.9% = Not Applicable
Employment Locations
n=545
- 64.7% = South ֱ
- 15.4% = Minnesota
- 3.9% = Iowa
- 2.9% = Nebraska
- 2.4% = Colorado
- 10.6% = All Other States
