Graduating Senior Survey Trends: Highlights

North Carolina State University
Graduating Senior Survey Trends: 1995-2004
Highlights

The Graduating Senior Survey has been conducted at NC State each year since 1995. Prior to Academic Year 2000-2001 all undergraduate students graduating in the Spring semester were eligible to participate in the paper survey; since then both Fall and Spring graduates were eligible. The survey was administered on paper only through AY99-00, on paper and on the web in AY00-01 and AY01-02, and via the web only since then. The overall response rate for all survey years is 59.5 percent, with a low of 50.5 percent in 1999, and a high of 69.9 percent in 2003.

Although the most popular response in all survey years, the number of graduates reporting that their primary goal in attending NC State was "to prepare for a new career" decreased over time. In contrast, the number of graduates saying their primary goal was "to prepare for graduate/professional school" has generally increased.

Close to 90 percent of respondents in each year since the question was first asked in 2002 reported that they would recommend NC State to a friend. About three-fourths of respondents in each survey year since 1998 said they would still choose to attend NC State. The number of respondents who said they would still choose the same major has generally decreased over time, reaching a low of 60.8 percent in 2004.
With one exception, a majority of respondents in each survey year reported feeling that the general attitude on campus toward various groups of people (e.g., "women," "African Americans," "international students," etc.) is at least "mildly supportive." However, while rated as at least "mildly supportive" by only a minority of respondents, mean ratings of campus support for "gay and lesbian students" have increased substantially over the survey years.

Graduating seniors consistently evaluated library services most favorably among academic service areas, followed by access to Internet, hours for computer centers/labs/help desks, access to up-to-date technology facilities, access to employment opportunities, career-related information through computers/technology, and opportunity for career assistance. Over the years, respondents have given the lowest ratings to access to trained technology staff for help, technology training classes, and interview preparation and skills. Relative to other services, ratings for technology-related services were most likely to have grown more positive over the survey years.

In general, graduating seniors are becoming increasingly more satisfied with NC State's contribution to their knowledge, skills, and personal development. Mean ratings in 1998-2004 were typically higher than those in 1995-1997. Ratings increased most notably for diversity-related items (understanding diverse cultures/values, developing a tolerance for divergent views, appreciating racial equity, appreciating gender equity), and for recognizing/acting on ethical principles, exercising public responsibility, and advancing appreciation of the arts.

Between 1995 and 2004, the percentage of respondents who reported being employed while at NC State fluctuated between 74 percent and 83 percent. Between 1995 and 2002 there was little variation in the percentage of respondents who reported working 20 or more hours per week (ranging between 37% and 44%). However, this figure increased to 55 percent in 2003 and 57 percent in 2004. A majority of employed students report working in jobs at least somewhat related to their major.

The number of respondents reporting having had a co-op, internship, practicum, or field experience while at NC State has declined from 56 percent in 1998 to 40 percent in 2004. In addition, the number of those saying they received a job offer from their employer declined from a high of 44 percent in 2001 to an all-time low of 25 percent in 2004. In each survey year, however, about two-thirds of those participating said the experience made an "excellent" contribution to their personal or professional growth.

For more information on trends in the Graduating Senior Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Campus Box 7002
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27965-7002
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: March, 2005

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