NC State logo

2012 Alumni Survey
College Comparisons of Employment

This document reports survey data on college differences in respondents' reports of post-graduation and current employment. Survey results for all respondents are provided in 2012 Alumni Survey: All Respondents. For information about the survey and analysis methods, see 2012 Alumni Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile.

First Full-Time Position | Current Position


First Full-Time Position

Primary activity in year following graduation NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Worked full-time 64.7% 55.2% 74.4% 60.4% 64.5% 72.3% 63.0% 65.1% 51.8% 73.3%
Worked part-time 14.7% 15.7% 17.8% 18.6% 21.7% 8.2% 20.2% 28.6% 13.1% 11.3%
Military service 0.8% 0.6% 0.0% 0.9% 0.6% 1.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.5% 0.5%
Homemaker 1.3% 1.3% 2.2% 1.6% 3.0% 0.7% 0.8% 0.0% 2.9% 0.5%
Attended graduate/professional school full-time 22.3% 32.1% 12.2% 20.0% 16.9% 19.9% 19.3% 4.8% 40.1% 19.2%
Attended graduate/professional school part-time 2.9% 2.7% 4.4% 3.1% 2.4% 4.2% 3.4% 1.6% 1.5% 1.2%
Travel 3.3% 2.7% 1.1% 3.0% 7.2% 3.8% 5.0% 6.3% 3.6% 1.9%
Other 5.6% 7.0% 2.2% 8.7% 7.2% 4.2% 3.4% 12.7% 4.4% 1.7%
Total (N) 2,855 527 90 644 166 693 119 63 137 416
Note: Respondents could provide more than one response.
Back to Top


Time to get first full-time permanent job after completing undergrad degree NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Continued in job had before completing degree 10.6% 11.1% 3.4% 11.3% 7.8% 10.2% 5.1% 20.6% 2.9% 14.7%
Accepted position prior to or upon graduation 30.9% 23.1% 28.1% 16.0% 23.5% 50.7% 31.6% 17.5% 30.9% 36.2%
1-6 months 25.2% 23.7% 47.2% 31.1% 27.1% 15.7% 31.6% 27.0% 20.6% 28.0%
7-12 months 7.6% 5.9% 10.1% 9.2% 9.0% 4.9% 12.8% 14.3% 6.6% 8.5%
Over 1 year 12.1% 13.0% 9.0% 17.8% 17.5% 8.9% 3.4% 9.5% 13.2% 8.5%
Have looked for but not yet obtained a full-time permanent job 4.4% 5.4% 1.1% 5.8% 9.0% 2.0% 6.8% 9.5% 7.4% 1.4%
Have not looked for a full-time permanent job 9.2% 17.8% 1.1% 8.8% 6.0% 7.7% 8.5% 1.6% 18.4% 2.7%
Total (N) 2,836 523 89 639 166 689 117 63 136 414
Back to Top


Factors instrumental in finding first full-time job NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
NC State University Career Center 14.2% 8.2% 3.3% 8.4% 3.6% 26.8% 16.0% 0.0% 7.3% 20.2%
NC State Alumni Association Career Services 3.1% 1.9% 1.1% 2.8% 1.8% 4.5% 2.5% 0.0% 3.6% 4.1%
Applied for job via an NC State University career services job listing 8.6% 3.4% 2.2% 3.6% 1.2% 14.9% 5.0% 0.0% 4.4% 20.7%
Employer found your resume via an NC State University career services database 3.5% 0.4% 2.2% 1.2% 0.6% 8.7% 2.5% 1.6% 2.2% 4.6%
Technician or other NC State publication 0.5% 0.0% 0.0% 1.7% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
NC State co-op experience 4.4% 1.1% 2.2% 0.8% 5.4% 13.1% 0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9%
Internship/externship 22.4% 12.7% 24.4% 18.3% 26.5% 29.7% 26.1% 28.6% 14.6% 27.2%
Study Abroad or Internship/Research/Student Teaching in an international setting 1.7% 0.4% 1.1% 2.6% 0.6% 1.9% 4.2% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4%
Previous experience with company 15.3% 13.9% 11.1% 14.4% 16.3% 16.3% 14.3% 15.9% 12.4% 18.3%
Personal connection(s) within the company 20.5% 18.2% 24.4% 22.8% 19.3% 18.0% 22.7% 25.4% 16.8% 23.3%
Faculty member or job listing found in an NC State department 7.4% 8.5% 2.2% 4.8% 14.5% 7.9% 9.2% 6.3% 5.1% 7.7%
Professional society 3.6% 3.6% 3.3% 2.3% 6.0% 4.3% 3.4% 6.3% 3.6% 3.1%
Third party recruiter or executive search firm 2.7% 2.7% 0.0% 2.2% 0.6% 2.9% 2.5% 4.8% 4.4% 4.1%
Employment agency 3.0% 3.2% 1.1% 4.3% 3.0% 1.6% 2.5% 6.3% 7.3% 1.9%
Family/friends/classmates/co-workers 22.1% 20.5% 27.8% 27.3% 21.7% 15.2% 20.2% 28.6% 20.4% 26.4%
Local, city, or national newspaper 2.7% 3.8% 8.9% 3.4% 2.4% 0.6% 4.2% 1.6% 1.5% 2.6%
Social networking site 1.1% 0.8% 0.0% 1.9% 1.8% 0.4% 0.8% 1.6% 0.0% 1.9%
On-campus interviewing or Career Fair 9.5% 4.6% 2.2% 0.8% 6.6% 21.8% 16.0% 6.3% 2.2% 12.7%
Internet 12.4% 11.2% 20.0% 14.6% 14.5% 10.0% 14.3% 14.3% 16.8% 10.1%
Other 9.2% 9.5% 12.2% 8.9% 8.4% 7.5% 12.6% 12.7% 8.0% 11.1%
Total (N) 2,855 527 90 644 166 693 119 63 137 416
Note: Respondents could provide more than one response.
Back to Top


Relationship of first full-time permanent position to academic major NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Yes, directly related 49.9% 39.9% 66.7% 26.2% 51.8% 72.0% 56.0% 76.8% 44.1% 50.3%
Yes, somewhat related 27.2% 33.5% 18.4% 28.6% 22.7% 22.1% 25.0% 12.5% 27.5% 33.2%
No, not related (by choice) 11.5% 14.0% 10.3% 21.9% 9.2% 3.0% 13.0% 5.4% 20.6% 7.0%
No, not related (not by choice) 11.3% 12.6% 4.6% 23.3% 16.3% 2.9% 6.0% 5.4% 7.8% 9.5%
Total (N) 2,463 406 87 549 141 624 100 56 102 398
Back to Top


Preparation by NC State for first full-time permanent position NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Mean Rating 4.06 4.08 4.03 3.87 4.14 4.14 4.30 3.93 3.98 4.11
5: Excellent 33.7% 35.9% 28.7% 27.9% 35.5% 36.4% 54.0% 23.2% 34.7% 32.2%
4: Good 45.0% 41.8% 55.2% 43.4% 49.6% 46.2% 28.0% 53.6% 36.6% 50.0%
3: Average 15.8% 17.3% 9.2% 19.9% 9.9% 13.6% 14.0% 17.9% 21.8% 14.3%
2: Fair 4.0% 4.2% 4.6% 6.0% 3.5% 2.7% 2.0% 3.6% 5.9% 3.3%
1: Poor 1.4% 0.7% 2.3% 2.9% 1.4% 1.1% 2.0% 1.8% 1.0% 0.3%
Total (N) 2,460 404 87 549 141 624 100 56 101 398
Back to Top


Starting salary at first full-time permanent job NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Under $20,000 4.6% 8.7% 2.3% 7.3% 7.8% 1.4% 3.0% 7.3% 3.9% 1.0%
$20,000-$24,999 9.1% 13.6% 11.5% 14.7% 11.3% 1.8% 12.0% 7.3% 7.8% 6.8%
$25,000-$29,999 13.0% 17.9% 23.0% 20.3% 22.0% 1.8% 13.0% 5.5% 9.8% 11.9%
$30,000-$34,999 17.9% 22.1% 44.8% 27.3% 25.5% 2.1% 9.0% 16.4% 16.7% 19.7%
$35,000-$39,999 10.4% 14.6% 5.7% 11.4% 11.3% 2.7% 16.0% 30.9% 13.7% 12.1%
$40,000-$44,999 9.4% 9.2% 4.6% 7.5% 5.0% 9.9% 15.0% 18.2% 12.7% 10.4%
$45,000-$49,999 8.6% 5.2% 3.4% 4.9% 5.7% 14.3% 8.0% 9.1% 4.9% 11.6%
$50,000-$54,999 9.9% 3.2% 3.4% 2.7% 1.4% 21.5% 8.0% 5.5% 9.8% 14.1%
$55,000-$59,999 6.8% 1.2% . 1.1% 3.5% 17.0% 9.0% . 7.8% 6.8%
$60,000-$64,999 4.1% 0.5% 1.1% 0.5% 2.8% 12.3% 6.0% . 2.9% 1.3%
$65,000-$69,999 2.5% 0.2% . 0.5% 2.8% 7.5% . . 3.9% 0.5%
$70,000-$74,999 1.4% 1.0% . 0.5% . 2.9% 1.0% . 2.0% 1.5%
$75,000 or over 2.4% 2.5% . 1.1% 0.7% 4.8% . . 3.9% 2.3%
Total (N) 2,454 403 87 546 141 624 100 55 102 396
Back to Top


Current Position

Current employment status NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Employed full-time (35+ hours per week) 78.3% 67.0% 83.3% 70.3% 78.9% 87.1% 80.3% 74.2% 76.6% 89.7%
Employed part-time (34 hours per week or less) 8.4% 10.2% 6.7% 14.1% 8.4% 4.1% 5.1% 16.1% 10.9% 4.1%
Not employed, but seeking employment 5.4% 5.7% 5.6% 8.4% 9.0% 2.5% 6.8% 6.5% 6.6% 2.6%
Not employed, not seeking employment 7.9% 17.0% 4.4% 7.2% 3.6% 6.4% 7.7% 3.2% 5.8% 3.6%
Total (N) 2,840 522 90 640 166 690 117 62 137 416
Back to Top
For detailed information on respondents' current employer and job description click here.


Tenure in current position NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Less than 12 months 26.4% 33.1% 18.8% 33.6% 28.5% 20.9% 24.8% 31.6% 21.7% 20.7%
1 year to less than 2 years 18.6% 19.3% 21.3% 22.1% 15.3% 13.1% 23.8% 24.6% 15.8% 21.5%
2 years to less than 3 years 18.4% 17.3% 16.3% 15.0% 24.3% 18.8% 15.8% 19.3% 25.0% 20.2%
3 years to less than 4 years 16.9% 13.8% 18.8% 12.2% 16.7% 22.1% 20.8% 10.5% 23.3% 15.5%
4 years to less than 5 years 12.6% 9.5% 13.8% 10.0% 11.1% 17.5% 10.9% 7.0% 8.3% 14.2%
5 years or more 7.1% 7.0% 11.3% 7.1% 4.2% 7.6% 4.0% 7.0% 5.8% 7.8%
Total (N) 2,454 399 80 539 144 628 101 57 120 386
Back to Top


Current salary NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Under $20,000 8.9% 14.3% 5.0% 14.5% 9.7% 4.2% 5.9% 14.0% 11.7% 3.1%
$20,000-$24,999 5.3% 9.0% 5.0% 6.5% 4.9% 1.8% 10.9% 5.3% 12.5% 1.8%
$25,000-$29,999 6.0% 8.0% 7.5% 9.3% 9.7% 2.6% 2.0% 10.5% 5.8% 3.4%
$30,000-$34,999 10.0% 12.5% 40.0% 14.9% 18.1% 1.9% 10.9% 3.5% 6.7% 6.0%
$35,000-$39,999 8.9% 10.8% 22.5% 12.7% 18.8% 1.4% 7.9% 10.5% 3.3% 8.9%
$40,000-$44,999 9.0% 12.3% 6.3% 12.5% 8.3% 3.4% 11.9% 14.0% 10.8% 8.9%
$45,000-$49,999 8.1% 7.0% 2.5% 8.9% 5.6% 5.8% 10.9% 14.0% 5.0% 13.6%
$50,000-$54,999 7.6% 8.5% 5.0% 4.3% 6.9% 8.1% 6.9% 8.8% 10.0% 10.2%
$55,000-$59,999 6.9% 4.3% . 4.7% 4.2% 8.8% 8.9% 5.3% 6.7% 12.3%
$60,000-$64,999 7.8% 2.3% 3.8% 4.5% 3.5% 16.0% 6.9% 3.5% 2.5% 10.2%
$65,000-$69,999 5.2% 2.0% 2.5% 1.9% 2.1% 11.3% 8.9% . 6.7% 4.2%
$70,000-$74,999 5.4% 2.5% . 1.5% 3.5% 12.6% 1.0% 3.5% 4.2% 5.7%
$75,000 or over 10.9% 6.5% . 3.9% 4.9% 22.2% 6.9% 7.0% 14.2% 11.7%
Total (N) 2,447 399 80 537 144 626 101 57 120 383
Back to Top


Type of current employment NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Academic 15.9% 22.3% 58.0% 20.0% 14.6% 8.0% 9.8% 12.3% 29.2% 6.4%
Federal, state, or local government 12.4% 15.3% 13.6% 14.5% 17.4% 12.4% 4.9% 1.8% 10.0% 8.5%
Private, for profit business or organization 61.0% 52.3% 24.7% 45.5% 54.9% 75.5% 77.5% 66.7% 53.3% 75.1%
Private, not for profit business or organization 7.6% 7.0% 3.7% 16.5% 7.6% 2.5% 6.9% 5.3% 4.2% 6.7%
Self-employed 3.1% 3.3% . 3.5% 5.6% 1.6% 1.0% 14.0% 3.3% 3.3%
Total (N) 2,460 400 81 539 144 628 102 57 120 389
Back to Top


Current industry NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Accommodation and Food Services 1.4% 2.0% . 2.1% 4.8% . . 3.6% 0.8% 1.5%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 0.5% 0.3% . 1.1% . 0.3% . . 0.8% 0.5%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting 4.5% 17.8% . 0.9% 18.6% 0.3% . . 1.7% 0.8%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2.5% 1.0% . 4.3% 7.6% 0.6% 3.0% 18.2% . 1.8%
Construction 3.8% 1.3% 1.3% 0.8% 2.8% 9.6% 2.0% 16.4% . 1.8%
Educational Services 11.5% 7.8% 68.8% 21.6% 7.6% 2.4% 5.0% 9.1% 13.6% 7.0%
Finance and Insurance 7.5% 3.0% 1.3% 5.8% 5.5% 1.1% 6.0% 1.8% 7.6% 27.6%
Health Care and Social Assistance 8.1% 19.8% 5.0% 11.8% 2.8% 3.0% 3.0% . 5.9% 4.6%
Information 3.2% 1.0% 1.3% 2.6% . 4.8% . 7.3% 3.4% 5.4%
Management of Companies and Enterprises 0.7% 0.5% . 0.9% . 0.3% . . 0.8% 2.1%
Manufacturing 9.2% 3.8% 2.5% 1.9% 11.0% 20.2% 24.0% 9.1% 5.1% 5.2%
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 0.9% 0.3% 1.3% 0.6% 0.7% 1.9% . . 0.8% 0.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 20.7% 24.3% 6.3% 11.8% 10.3% 35.2% 12.0% 5.5% 33.9% 13.4%
Public Administration 1.6% 1.0% . 4.3% 1.4% 0.3% . . 0.8% 1.5%
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 1.1% 1.0% 1.3% 0.9% 2.1% 0.3% 2.0% 1.8% . 2.6%
Retail Trade 3.6% 2.3% 1.3% 5.3% 3.4% 0.6% 18.0% 5.5% 5.1% 3.9%
Transportation and Warehousing 1.2% 0.3% . 0.8% . 2.2% . . 0.8% 2.6%
Utilities 2.7% 0.5% 2.5% 0.4% 2.8% 6.9% 2.0% . 5.1% 1.3%
Wholesale Trade 0.9% 0.8% . 0.8% . 0.2% 6.0% . . 1.8%
Other Services (except Public Administration) 1.8% 1.5% 1.3% 4.3% 1.4% 0.3% 1.0% 1.8% 0.8% 2.1%
Other 12.5% 10.0% 6.3% 17.1% 17.2% 9.1% 16.0% 20.0% 12.7% 11.9%
Total (N) 2,441 399 80 533 145 623 100 55 118 388
Note: Excludes "not sure" response option.
Back to Top


Current work location NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Inside Triangle 46.7% 48.0% 63.6% 51.7% 45.3% 39.4% 33.7% 45.3% 44.8% 51.7%
Other NC 22.7% 27.9% 22.1% 18.9% 31.4% 20.9% 13.7% 18.9% 20.7% 25.7%
Other US 29.4% 23.6% 14.3% 28.0% 23.4% 38.5% 48.4% 34.0% 32.8% 21.0%
Outside US 1.3% 0.5% . 1.4% . 1.2% 4.2% 1.9% 1.7% 1.7%
Total (N) 2,316 377 77 507 137 592 95 53 116 362
Back to Top


Relationship of current position to academic major NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Yes, directly related 46.3% 37.3% 61.3% 26.2% 41.3% 67.8% 47.1% 52.6% 45.0% 46.5%
Yes, somewhat related 31.1% 41.1% 17.5% 31.9% 25.9% 23.1% 18.6% 29.8% 34.2% 39.6%
No, not related (by choice) 14.0% 13.8% 13.8% 23.4% 21.7% 6.1% 21.6% 12.3% 13.3% 9.5%
No, not related (not by choice) 8.7% 7.8% 7.5% 18.6% 11.2% 3.0% 12.7% 5.3% 7.5% 4.4%
Total (N) 2,457 399 80 539 143 628 102 57 120 389
Back to Top


Preparation by NC State for current position NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
Mean Rating 3.99 3.99 3.99 3.79 3.99 4.09 4.16 3.84 4.03 4.06
5: Excellent 30.8% 32.5% 31.6% 24.3% 27.6% 33.8% 44.1% 21.1% 38.3% 29.7%
4: Good 45.6% 43.3% 44.3% 44.1% 49.0% 47.2% 33.3% 52.6% 35.8% 51.4%
3: Average 17.5% 17.3% 17.7% 21.9% 19.3% 14.8% 17.6% 17.5% 18.3% 15.2%
2: Fair 4.1% 4.8% 3.8% 6.2% 2.8% 2.7% 3.9% 7.0% 5.0% 2.8%
1: Poor 2.0% 2.3% 2.5% 3.6% 1.4% 1.4% 1.0% 1.8% 2.5% 0.8%
Total (N) 2,452 400 79 535 145 627 102 57 120 387
Back to Top


For more information on the 2012 Alumni Survey contact:
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

Return to 2012 Alumni Survey Table of Contents Page

Return to OIRP Survey Page

Return to OIRP Home Page