2012 Alumni Survey
Undergraduate Education Goals
Frequencies
Communication Skills
Importance
| 4: Very important | 3: Somewhat important | 2: Not very important | 1: Not at all important | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication skills overall | 91.0% | 8.6% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 2,818 |
| Writing effectively | 67.8% | 26.9% | 4.9% | 0.4% | 2,819 |
| Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 61.5% | 27.7% | 9.4% | 1.4% | 2,819 |
| Understanding written and oral information | 91.1% | 8.4% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 2,818 |
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Preparation
| 4: Very much | 3: Somewhat | 2: Very little | 1: Not at all | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication skills overall | 39.7% | 49.5% | 9.3% | 1.6% | 2,807 |
| Writing effectively | 38.5% | 47.6% | 11.8% | 2.1% | 2,807 |
| Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 38.8% | 45.5% | 13.7% | 2.0% | 2,807 |
| Understanding written and oral information | 52.2% | 41.6% | 5.0% | 1.2% | 2,806 |
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Critical and Creative Thinking
Importance
| 4: Very important | 3: Somewhat important | 2: Not very important | 1: Not at all important | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem solving skills overall | 88.3% | 10.9% | 0.7% | 0.1% | 2,777 |
| Defining problems | 78.6% | 19.3% | 1.8% | 0.3% | 2,774 |
| Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 75.5% | 21.4% | 2.7% | 0.4% | 2,772 |
| Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 68.9% | 24.7% | 5.7% | 0.6% | 2,773 |
| Identifying relevant ideas/information | 72.7% | 24.5% | 2.3% | 0.4% | 2,767 |
| Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 65.4% | 26.8% | 6.5% | 1.3% | 2,767 |
| Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 76.3% | 20.1% | 3.0% | 0.5% | 2,768 |
| Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 66.9% | 26.8% | 5.5% | 0.7% | 2,766 |
| Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 62.5% | 27.6% | 8.7% | 1.1% | 2,768 |
| Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 52.3% | 34.4% | 11.6% | 1.6% | 2,765 |
| Generating innovative solutions | 59.8% | 31.1% | 8.0% | 1.1% | 2,767 |
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Preparation
| 4: Very much | 3: Somewhat | 2: Very little | 1: Not at all | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem solving skills overall | 52.5% | 42.0% | 4.6% | 0.9% | 2,764 |
| Defining problems | 44.2% | 46.9% | 7.8% | 1.2% | 2,761 |
| Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 41.9% | 47.4% | 9.3% | 1.3% | 2,763 |
| Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 42.0% | 48.2% | 8.5% | 1.2% | 2,761 |
| Identifying relevant ideas/information | 41.5% | 51.4% | 6.2% | 0.9% | 2,755 |
| Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 44.6% | 42.6% | 11.0% | 1.8% | 2,755 |
| Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 48.8% | 45.8% | 4.7% | 0.7% | 2,758 |
| Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 42.8% | 49.5% | 6.7% | 1.0% | 2,755 |
| Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 35.7% | 50.8% | 11.4% | 2.1% | 2,757 |
| Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 31.4% | 52.9% | 13.4% | 2.3% | 2,754 |
| Generating innovative solutions | 31.6% | 50.8% | 14.8% | 2.8% | 2,758 |
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Professionalism
Importance
| 4: Very important | 3: Somewhat important | 2: Not very important | 1: Not at all important | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional skills overall | 84.3% | 13.9% | 1.6% | 0.2% | 2,740 |
| Working independently | 72.3% | 24.4% | 3.1% | 0.2% | 2,740 |
| Working in teams | 70.2% | 24.0% | 5.3% | 0.5% | 2,739 |
| Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 54.6% | 29.5% | 13.4% | 2.6% | 2,740 |
| Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 87.6% | 11.0% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 2,739 |
| Adapting to changing circumstances | 80.7% | 17.2% | 1.9% | 0.2% | 2,736 |
| Effectively leading/guiding others | 65.1% | 27.0% | 7.0% | 0.8% | 2,737 |
| Preparing for a career | 65.8% | 24.8% | 7.2% | 2.2% | 2,736 |
| Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 76.9% | 19.4% | 3.1% | 0.7% | 2,738 |
| Working under pressure | 81.5% | 15.8% | 2.5% | 0.2% | 2,737 |
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Preparation
| 4: Very much | 3: Somewhat | 2: Very little | 1: Not at all | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional skills overall | 44.2% | 44.8% | 8.7% | 2.3% | 2,731 |
| Working independently | 53.6% | 38.6% | 6.8% | 1.0% | 2,731 |
| Working in teams | 54.1% | 37.7% | 7.1% | 1.1% | 2,731 |
| Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 40.9% | 41.5% | 14.4% | 3.2% | 2,730 |
| Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 46.8% | 40.5% | 9.9% | 2.7% | 2,730 |
| Adapting to changing circumstances | 34.1% | 48.9% | 15.0% | 2.1% | 2,728 |
| Effectively leading/guiding others | 33.2% | 43.9% | 18.9% | 3.9% | 2,725 |
| Preparing for a career | 38.7% | 43.5% | 14.5% | 3.4% | 2,729 |
| Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 35.1% | 47.0% | 14.1% | 3.8% | 2,729 |
| Working under pressure | 54.3% | 36.1% | 7.8% | 1.7% | 2,729 |
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General Education
Importance
| 4: Very important | 3: Somewhat important | 2: Not very important | 1: Not at all important | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An overall general education | 73.4% | 22.4% | 3.7% | 0.5% | 2,636 |
| Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 55.1% | 37.4% | 6.6% | 0.9% | 2,627 |
| Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 48.0% | 39.8% | 10.8% | 1.4% | 2,618 |
| Formulating and testing hypotheses | 38.4% | 32.8% | 22.1% | 6.6% | 2,615 |
| Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 36.9% | 29.8% | 24.2% | 9.1% | 2,615 |
| Appreciating the arts | 27.6% | 29.4% | 25.7% | 17.3% | 2,618 |
| Appreciating the humanities | 28.4% | 33.0% | 25.0% | 13.6% | 2,616 |
| Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 29.4% | 34.5% | 23.9% | 12.2% | 2,614 |
| Applying mathematics skills | 48.9% | 31.7% | 15.8% | 3.6% | 2,614 |
| Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 42.5% | 37.3% | 15.9% | 4.3% | 2,614 |
| Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 77.0% | 19.2% | 3.2% | 0.6% | 2,614 |
| Being involved in public and community affairs | 38.3% | 39.2% | 17.9% | 4.6% | 2,615 |
| Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 65.6% | 25.8% | 6.4% | 2.2% | 2,611 |
| Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 78.5% | 18.8% | 2.0% | 0.7% | 2,614 |
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Preparation
| 4: Very much | 3: Somewhat | 2: Very little | 1: Not at all | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An overall general education | 71.5% | 25.9% | 2.1% | 0.5% | 2,611 |
| Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 51.2% | 42.7% | 5.2% | 0.8% | 2,605 |
| Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 37.5% | 51.1% | 9.8% | 1.6% | 2,601 |
| Formulating and testing hypotheses | 38.6% | 46.5% | 12.3% | 2.6% | 2,602 |
| Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 30.9% | 46.8% | 18.1% | 4.2% | 2,603 |
| Appreciating the arts | 22.3% | 39.3% | 27.2% | 11.1% | 2,603 |
| Appreciating the humanities | 28.7% | 45.5% | 20.3% | 5.5% | 2,600 |
| Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 24.9% | 44.0% | 24.2% | 6.8% | 2,599 |
| Applying mathematics skills | 50.2% | 37.1% | 10.4% | 2.3% | 2,600 |
| Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 37.6% | 48.1% | 12.6% | 1.8% | 2,599 |
| Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 39.5% | 46.5% | 11.5% | 2.5% | 2,598 |
| Being involved in public and community affairs | 27.1% | 42.4% | 23.3% | 7.2% | 2,602 |
| Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 27.4% | 43.6% | 22.2% | 6.8% | 2,601 |
| Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 52.0% | 38.9% | 7.2% | 1.9% | 2,600 |
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Diversity/Global Awareness
Importance
| 4: Very important | 3: Somewhat important | 2: Not very important | 1: Not at all important | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversity/global awareness overall | 47.3% | 38.3% | 11.8% | 2.6% | 2,574 |
| Having a tolerance for different points of views | 70.1% | 25.6% | 3.4% | 0.8% | 2,574 |
| Understanding diverse cultures and values | 53.8% | 35.0% | 9.0% | 2.2% | 2,571 |
| Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 43.0% | 39.6% | 13.8% | 3.6% | 2,569 |
| Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 53.1% | 36.6% | 8.2% | 2.1% | 2,570 |
| Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 42.6% | 41.1% | 13.4% | 3.0% | 2,570 |
| Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 40.9% | 36.0% | 17.0% | 6.1% | 2,570 |
| Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 40.0% | 36.1% | 17.3% | 6.6% | 2,570 |
| Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 34.8% | 31.9% | 20.7% | 12.6% | 2,569 |
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Preparation
| 4: Very much | 3: Somewhat | 2: Very little | 1: Not at all | Total (N) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversity/global awareness overall | 30.4% | 49.5% | 16.7% | 3.4% | 2,565 |
| Having a tolerance for different points of views | 40.2% | 46.0% | 11.4% | 2.4% | 2,564 |
| Understanding diverse cultures and values | 32.2% | 49.4% | 15.3% | 3.2% | 2,564 |
| Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 25.0% | 49.8% | 20.5% | 4.6% | 2,560 |
| Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 26.9% | 50.7% | 18.5% | 3.8% | 2,561 |
| Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 24.6% | 50.1% | 20.6% | 4.7% | 2,562 |
| Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 22.3% | 44.5% | 25.4% | 7.8% | 2,560 |
| Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 21.9% | 44.3% | 24.5% | 9.3% | 2,560 |
| Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 19.2% | 38.8% | 26.2% | 15.8% | 2,558 |
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Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu
Posted: July, 2012