2012 Alumni Survey
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons Comparisons of Employment

This document reports survey data on gender and racial/ethnic 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	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Worked full-time	64.7%	61.5%	67.6%	66.3%	68.9%	64.4%	63.9%
Worked part-time	14.7%	16.9%	12.7%	16.3%	20.1%	14.4%	11.6%
Military service	0.8%	0.1%	1.5%	0.0%	1.2%	0.8%	0.6%
Homemaker	1.3%	2.1%	0.5%	1.0%	1.8%	1.3%	0.0%
Attended graduate/professional school full-time	22.3%	24.2%	20.6%	21.4%	15.2%	22.6%	24.5%
Attended graduate/professional school part-time	2.9%	3.0%	2.9%	5.1%	1.8%	2.9%	2.6%
Travel	3.3%	3.5%	3.2%	2.0%	3.7%	3.1%	7.1%
Other	5.6%	5.8%	5.5%	7.1%	5.5%	5.4%	9.0%
Total (N)	2,855	1,347	1,508	98	164	2,438	155

Note: Respondents could provide more than one response.
Back to Top

Time to get first full-time permanent job after completing undergrad degree	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Continued in job had before completing degree	10.6%	9.6%	11.5%	8.2%	15.7%	10.1%	14.3%
Accepted position prior to or upon graduation	30.9%	23.5%	37.5%	31.6%	24.5%	31.3%	29.9%
1-6 months	25.2%	29.1%	21.8%	26.5%	28.3%	25.4%	18.8%
7-12 months	7.6%	8.0%	7.3%	10.2%	10.1%	7.4%	6.5%
Over 1 year	12.1%	13.8%	10.6%	8.2%	13.8%	12.2%	11.0%
Have looked for but not yet obtained a full-time permanent job	4.4%	5.5%	3.4%	3.1%	4.4%	4.5%	4.5%
Have not looked for a full-time permanent job	9.2%	10.5%	8.0%	12.2%	3.1%	9.1%	14.9%
Total (N)	2,836	1,336	1,500	98	159	2,425	154

Back to Top

Factors instrumental in finding first full-time job	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
NC State University Career Center	14.2%	10.8%	17.2%	20.4%	21.3%	13.5%	13.5%
NC State Alumni Association Career Services	3.1%	2.5%	3.6%	3.1%	3.0%	3.2%	1.9%
Applied for job via an NC State University career services job listing	8.6%	6.9%	10.1%	12.2%	11.6%	8.4%	6.5%
Employer found your resume via an NC State University career services database	3.5%	2.1%	4.7%	5.1%	7.9%	3.2%	1.9%
Technician or other NC State publication	0.5%	0.6%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.5%	0.0%
NC State co-op experience	4.4%	1.8%	6.8%	6.1%	3.0%	4.3%	7.1%
Internship/externship	22.4%	21.2%	23.5%	22.4%	18.3%	23.1%	16.1%
Study Abroad or Internship/Research/Student Teaching in an international setting	1.7%	2.4%	1.1%	1.0%	1.2%	1.7%	1.9%
Previous experience with company	15.3%	14.1%	16.3%	13.3%	17.1%	15.2%	15.5%
Personal connection(s) within the company	20.5%	20.5%	20.5%	19.4%	18.9%	20.8%	18.7%
Faculty member or job listing found in an NC State department	7.4%	6.2%	8.4%	7.1%	5.5%	7.6%	6.5%
Professional society	3.6%	3.3%	3.8%	6.1%	1.8%	3.6%	3.9%
Third party recruiter or executive search firm	2.7%	2.4%	3.0%	2.0%	6.7%	2.4%	3.9%
Employment agency	3.0%	3.3%	2.8%	2.0%	9.1%	2.7%	1.9%
Family/friends/classmates/co-workers	22.1%	23.5%	20.8%	16.3%	20.1%	22.5%	20.6%
Local, city, or national newspaper	2.7%	4.0%	1.5%	4.1%	3.7%	2.7%	0.6%
Social networking site	1.1%	1.3%	1.0%	1.0%	2.4%	1.1%	0.6%
On-campus interviewing or Career Fair	9.5%	6.8%	11.9%	13.3%	6.7%	9.5%	10.3%
Internet	12.4%	14.3%	10.8%	12.2%	15.9%	12.4%	9.7%
Other	9.2%	9.9%	8.7%	9.2%	7.9%	9.4%	9.0%
Total (N)	2,855	1,347	1,508	98	164	2,438	155

Note: Respondents could provide more than one response.
Back to Top

Relationship of first full-time permanent position to academic major	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Yes, directly related	49.9%	45.1%	54.1%	44.6%	36.2%	51.3%	48.0%
Yes, somewhat related	27.2%	28.5%	26.2%	31.3%	27.6%	27.1%	26.8%
No, not related (by choice)	11.5%	11.1%	11.9%	14.5%	14.5%	11.3%	9.8%
No, not related (not by choice)	11.3%	15.4%	7.9%	9.6%	21.7%	10.4%	15.4%
Total (N)	2,463	1,131	1,332	83	152	2,105	123

Back to Top

Preparation by NC State for first full-time permanent position	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Mean Rating	4.06	4.02	4.09	3.77	3.97	4.08	3.93
5: Excellent	33.7%	32.7%	34.6%	25.3%	33.8%	34.2%	31.7%
4: Good	45.0%	44.0%	45.8%	44.6%	40.4%	45.6%	39.8%
3: Average	15.8%	17.2%	14.7%	18.1%	17.9%	15.3%	21.1%
2: Fair	4.0%	4.4%	3.7%	6.0%	4.6%	3.9%	4.9%
1: Poor	1.4%	1.7%	1.2%	6.0%	3.3%	1.0%	2.4%
Total (N)	2,460	1,129	1,331	83	151	2,103	123

Back to Top

Starting salary at first full-time permanent job	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Under $20,000	4.6%	5.3%	3.9%	3.8%	4.0%	4.5%	6.6%
$20,000-$24,999	9.1%	13.1%	5.6%	6.3%	11.9%	8.6%	15.6%
$25,000-$29,999	13.0%	17.8%	8.9%	6.3%	10.6%	13.6%	9.8%
$30,000-$34,999	17.9%	23.6%	13.0%	10.0%	25.2%	17.9%	13.9%
$35,000-$39,999	10.4%	11.5%	9.3%	12.5%	11.3%	10.1%	11.5%
$40,000-$44,999	9.4%	8.6%	10.0%	12.5%	11.3%	9.2%	8.2%
$45,000-$49,999	8.6%	6.2%	10.7%	11.3%	7.3%	8.8%	6.6%
$50,000-$54,999	9.9%	5.5%	13.7%	15.0%	6.6%	10.2%	6.6%
$55,000-$59,999	6.8%	2.9%	10.0%	11.3%	5.3%	6.8%	4.9%
$60,000-$64,999	4.1%	2.0%	5.9%	7.5%	2.0%	4.0%	5.7%
$65,000-$69,999	2.5%	1.2%	3.6%	1.3%	0.0%	2.8%	1.6%
$70,000-$74,999	1.4%	1.0%	1.7%	1.3%	1.3%	1.1%	5.7%
$75,000 or over	2.4%	1.2%	3.5%	1.3%	3.3%	2.4%	3.3%
Total (N)	2,454	1,126	1,328	80	151	2,101	122

Back to Top

Current Position

Current employment status	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Employed full-time (35+ hours per week)	78.3%	73.8%	82.4%	75.0%	76.5%	78.5%	79.5%
Employed part-time (34 hours per week or less)	8.4%	11.1%	6.0%	9.4%	9.9%	8.4%	6.6%
Not employed, but seeking employment	5.4%	5.6%	5.2%	6.3%	7.4%	5.3%	4.6%
Not employed, not seeking employment	7.9%	9.5%	6.4%	9.4%	6.2%	7.8%	9.3%
Total (N)	2,840	1,341	1,499	96	162	2,431	151

Back to Top

Tenure in current position	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Less than 12 months	26.4%	29.7%	23.7%	24.4%	35.5%	26.1%	23.1%
1 year to less than 2 years	18.6%	19.8%	17.6%	22.0%	16.7%	18.3%	23.8%
2 years to less than 3 years	18.4%	18.1%	18.6%	18.3%	12.3%	19.1%	13.8%
3 years to less than 4 years	16.9%	15.4%	18.1%	15.9%	14.5%	17.1%	16.9%
4 years to less than 5 years	12.6%	11.4%	13.6%	9.8%	14.5%	12.5%	13.1%
5 years or more	7.1%	5.5%	8.4%	9.8%	6.5%	6.9%	9.2%
Total (N)	2,454	1,136	1,318	82	138	2,104	130

Back to Top

Current salary	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Under $20,000	8.9%	11.7%	6.6%	10.1%	7.9%	8.8%	11.5%
$20,000-$24,999	5.3%	6.9%	3.9%	3.8%	3.6%	5.3%	7.7%
$25,000-$29,999	6.0%	8.0%	4.2%	6.3%	9.4%	5.8%	5.4%
$30,000-$34,999	10.0%	13.8%	6.6%	3.8%	7.9%	10.4%	9.2%
$35,000-$39,999	8.9%	11.5%	6.6%	5.1%	10.1%	9.0%	8.5%
$40,000-$44,999	9.0%	11.1%	7.3%	6.3%	12.9%	9.0%	7.7%
$45,000-$49,999	8.1%	9.0%	7.4%	6.3%	10.8%	8.2%	5.4%
$50,000-$54,999	7.6%	6.8%	8.2%	6.3%	5.8%	7.7%	7.7%
$55,000-$59,999	6.9%	6.2%	7.6%	3.8%	8.6%	7.0%	6.2%
$60,000-$64,999	7.8%	4.7%	10.5%	10.1%	4.3%	8.1%	6.9%
$65,000-$69,999	5.2%	2.9%	7.2%	7.6%	3.6%	5.3%	3.8%
$70,000-$74,999	5.4%	3.1%	7.4%	13.9%	4.3%	5.0%	8.5%
$75,000 or over	10.9%	4.4%	16.5%	16.5%	10.8%	10.6%	11.5%
Total (N)	2,447	1,137	1,310	79	139	2,099	130

Back to Top

Type of current employment	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Academic	15.9%	21.3%	11.3%	9.8%	18.0%	16.0%	16.2%
Federal, state, or local government	12.4%	12.6%	12.1%	12.2%	23.0%	11.9%	9.2%
Private, for profit business or organization	61.0%	52.9%	67.9%	69.5%	48.2%	61.4%	62.3%
Private, not for profit business or organization	7.6%	10.4%	5.3%	6.1%	9.4%	7.6%	7.7%
Self-employed	3.1%	2.7%	3.4%	2.4%	1.4%	3.1%	4.6%
Total (N)	2,460	1,139	1,321	82	139	2,109	130

Back to Top

Current industry	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Accommodation and Food Services	1.4%	1.8%	1.1%	1.2%	2.2%	1.4%	1.6%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	0.5%	0.9%	0.2%	0.0%	2.2%	0.4%	0.0%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting	4.5%	3.6%	5.2%	0.0%	1.4%	5.0%	3.1%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation	2.5%	2.8%	2.3%	1.2%	0.0%	2.8%	1.6%
Construction	3.8%	1.2%	5.9%	0.0%	0.7%	4.2%	2.4%
Educational Services	11.5%	18.7%	5.3%	6.2%	19.4%	11.2%	10.2%
Finance and Insurance	7.5%	6.3%	8.4%	11.1%	4.3%	7.6%	5.5%
Health Care and Social Assistance	8.1%	12.8%	4.0%	6.2%	7.2%	8.2%	7.9%
Information	3.2%	1.5%	4.6%	4.9%	5.0%	3.0%	3.1%
Management of Companies and Enterprises	0.7%	1.2%	0.4%	0.0%	0.0%	0.8%	0.8%
Manufacturing	9.2%	5.4%	12.4%	13.6%	9.4%	9.2%	5.5%
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction	0.9%	0.7%	1.1%	1.2%	0.7%	0.9%	1.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	20.7%	16.3%	24.5%	21.0%	19.4%	20.5%	25.2%
Public Administration	1.6%	2.0%	1.2%	0.0%	5.0%	1.4%	1.6%
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	1.1%	0.9%	1.4%	0.0%	0.0%	1.3%	0.0%
Retail Trade	3.6%	4.9%	2.6%	11.1%	3.6%	3.3%	4.7%
Transportation and Warehousing	1.2%	0.8%	1.6%	1.2%	0.0%	1.3%	1.6%
Utilities	2.7%	1.3%	3.9%	7.4%	0.7%	2.5%	5.5%
Wholesale Trade	0.9%	1.0%	0.8%	0.0%	0.7%	1.0%	0.0%
Other Services (except Public Administration)	1.8%	2.4%	1.4%	0.0%	4.3%	1.7%	3.1%
Other	12.5%	13.5%	11.7%	13.6%	13.7%	12.3%	15.0%
Total (N)	2,441	1,125	1,316	81	139	2,094	127

Note: Excludes "not sure" response option.
Back to Top

Current work location	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Inside Triangle	46.7%	50.0%	43.8%	44.3%	44.4%	46.5%	53.7%
Other NC	22.7%	21.3%	23.8%	13.9%	23.0%	23.5%	14.0%
Other US	29.4%	27.4%	31.1%	36.7%	31.1%	28.8%	32.2%
Outside US	1.3%	1.2%	1.3%	5.1%	1.5%	1.2%	0.0%
Total (N)	2,316	1,083	1,233	79	135	1,981	121

Back to Top

Relationship of current position to academic major	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Yes, directly related	46.3%	41.3%	50.6%	39.0%	33.6%	47.6%	43.1%
Yes, somewhat related	31.1%	32.5%	29.8%	34.1%	35.7%	30.8%	28.5%
No, not related (by choice)	14.0%	15.4%	12.7%	17.1%	16.4%	13.5%	16.2%
No, not related (not by choice)	8.7%	10.9%	6.8%	9.8%	14.3%	8.1%	12.3%
Total (N)	2,457	1,139	1,318	82	140	2,105	130

Back to Top

Preparation by NC State for current position	NCSU	Women	Men	Asian	AfAm	White	Other
Mean Rating	3.99	3.96	4.02	3.67	3.99	4.01	3.87
5: Excellent	30.8%	29.7%	31.7%	18.3%	36.2%	31.0%	29.5%
4: Good	45.6%	45.0%	46.0%	48.8%	39.1%	46.3%	38.8%
3: Average	17.5%	18.8%	16.5%	20.7%	16.7%	17.1%	24.0%
2: Fair	4.1%	4.3%	3.9%	6.1%	3.6%	4.0%	4.7%
1: Poor	2.0%	2.2%	1.8%	6.1%	4.3%	1.6%	3.1%
Total (N)	2,452	1,135	1,317	82	138	2,103	129

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