Undergraduate Class of 2005
Survey Results
During the 2004-2005 academic year, recipients of
baccalaureate degrees from
Methodology
Survey Instrument: The survey form used for this study is a
revision of the forms used in previous years.
The original survey form was developed by the four-campus Institutional
Research Advisory Council (IRAC), working with the four campus placement directors. They developed an instrument that would
contain a broad evaluative component in addition to questions about
careers. We do not envision this
questionnaire as a tool for the evaluation of academic programs, which are
evaluated by the academic departments, or as part of their program review
process. The survey questions, with
response percentages typed in, are included as Appendix
A. In addition, Appendix
B provides a five-year historical perspective.
The questionnaire is three pages long and consists
mainly of checklists. In spite of its
length, it could be completed by most respondents in less than ten
minutes. Included in the survey are
three open-ended items that allowed respondents to answer in a less structured
way.
Distribution: The original mailing went out in January
2006. This year questionnaires were sent
to recipients of CCSU baccalaureate degrees whose graduation date was August
2004, December 2004 or May 2005; that is, the Class of 2005. A cover letter was attached explaining the
need for the survey and encouraging response.
After a month, a second mailing was sent out containing another copy of
the survey form and a plea letter. This
strategy has been employed for previous years’ surveys with good results.
Data Handling: The data, except for the three open-ended
questions, were entered into the computer by an outside vendor. Responses to the three open-ended questions
were collated and categorized internally.
Employment Status: This year, seventy-eight percent (78%) of the
respondents are employed full-time and another fourteen percent (14%) are
employed part-time. Total respondents’
employment percentage is 92%. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the respondents
indicate that they are satisfied with CCSU preparation for their current
jobs. Last year, seventy-eight percent
(78%) of the respondents were employed full-time and another thirteen percent
(13%) were employed part-time. The total
respondents’ employment percentage was 91% last year and 92% this year. These findings reflect that the overall
employment opportunities in
Educational Activities: About twenty-four percent (24%)
of the respondents are currently involved in further educational activities,
with twenty-two percent (22%) enrolled in graduate work leading toward a
degree. There had been a noticeable
change in the percentage of graduates who were attending graduate school over
the last few years. The percentage of
students continues to decline since 2002 from 32% to 24%. This change may be because of normal fluctuations
in the survey responses or it may be an indicator that the graduate school
attendance rate is declining. In sum,
the majority of graduates (89%) felt that the preparation for further education
they received at CCSU is adequate or better.
Perhaps most telling, ninety-four (95%) said that they would recommend
the University to a friend.
Educational Financing: Please note that respondents can mark more than one option on this
question. According to the data provided
by the Connecticut State University System Office, fifty-three percent (53%) of the respondents
paid their educational expenses through personal savings and forty-six percent
(46%) through parental support. On
average, about eighteen percent (18%) of students received scholarships/grants
including federal, state, private and university this year. This year, fifty-four percent (54%) of
students were supported from loans, including federal, state and personal. In fact, students carried substantial debt after
their graduation. About sixty-seven
percent (67%) of the respondents indicated they had debts ranging from less
than $5,000 to more than $20,000.
Twenty-one percent (21%) of the respondents carried less than $9,999
debt. Forty-six percent (46%) of the
respondents owned debt from $10,000 to $20,000 more. Thirty-three percent (33%) of the respondents
accumulated no debt while attending CCSU in 2005. Compared with the figures in 2000, the number
of respondents who reported with educational debt is significantly increased
from 55% in 2000 to 67% in 2005. This
indicates students are gradually relying on loans to support their educational
expenses. The increasing cost of college
education has become a major factor to change students’ educational financing
pattern.
Undergraduate Education: The items comprising Question 5 are asked in
order to ascertain how the graduates feel about the education they
received. Most students feel that their
abilities are enhanced at least somewhat by their baccalaureate programs. The students’ perceptions of their
educational experience, particularly in the area of “Gaining in-depth knowledge
of a field of study” and “Acquiring new skills and knowledge” constitute
valuable information. Out of the ten
skill items, students strongly feel that they have greatly enhanced their
in-depth knowledge of a field of study and have acquired new skills through
their CCSU education. One interesting
findings from this year’s survey is students reflect that the skills in using
quantitative knowledge (numerical analysis) and in understanding scientific
concepts and methods remain at the bottom of the enhancement of their skill
sets. This result is probably related to
the pool of graduating fields of study and the number of respondents from these
fields. In general, the overall opinion
from the class of 2005 survey respondents on the ability enhancement is
slightly ahead the respondents of the class of 2004.
Experiential Education: Survey Questions 2 and 3 deal with
Cooperative Education Program and other experiential programs. About fifty percent (50%) of the respondents
report involvement in experiential education activities through CCSU, such as
co-ops, internships, and practicum.
Twenty-three percent (23%) of the respondents chose student
teaching. A significant number of
students (22%) were involved in community services. Over the years, CCSU student clubs and
recreational activities have attracted lots of student involvement. Over half of the respondents (58%) reported being
involved in club or recreational activities.
As the results of increasing student involvement in experiential
education activities, students are believed to be well prepared for entering
the workforce and choosing their suitable career paths.
Open-ended Questions: On the 2005 survey, we provide three open-ended
questions. Students have many valuable
opinions and responses in several different areas. In general, students’ most worthwhile experiences
are through academic projects, classes, and faculty teaching. Moreover, students want to see additional
improvements in areas such as advising and administration practices. In general, students give many positive
suggestions and comments to the open-ended questions.
Summary
Overall, the respondents to the 2005 Survey have a very
positive impression of CCSU. Around 97%
of our respondents reflect satisfaction with their education at CCSU. Ninety-five percent (95%) would recommend
CCSU to potential students. In
employment prospects, it seems that job opportunities have gradually increased
in
Download
2005 Survey Report (PDF format)
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