Post-Graduation Survey of Undergraduate Alumni now available

The results of the 2009 Post-Graduation Survey of Undergraduate Alumni are in. The Career Development Center annually administers the survey, which provides information to students, employers, faculty, staff and administration regarding activities of recent UST undergraduate alumni.

With the help of Institutional Research and Analysis, the Career Development Center sent surveys by e-mail and mail to 1,294 December 2008 and May-July 2009 graduates. Information was collected from 663 (51 percent) of those contacted.

Often distributed to students in workshops and career counseling sessions, this survey is an excellent tool to convey possible career paths and entry-level salary ranges. Many employers analyze salary information contained in the report as a factor in determining entry-level salaries for the upcoming recruiting season.

Here are some of the results of the survey:

  • Of those responding to the survey, 56.11 percent reported having an internship while at St. Thomas. This is a decrease from 57.11 percent reported in the 2008 survey.
  • Additionally, 23.02 percent are currently enrolled in an advanced degree program, which is an increase from 21.85 percent in 2008.
  • Aside from those already enrolled, 34.06 percent of last year’s class said they plan to enroll within four years of graduation.

Here is the respondents' employment status:

  • Employed full time – 372 (56.19 percent)
  • Employed part time – 126 (19.03 percent)
  • Volunteer service – 27 (4.08 percent)
  • Military service – 13 (1.96 percent)
  • Not employed, currently seeking – 54 (8.16 percent)
  • Not employed, not seeking – 70 (10.57 percent)

(Percentages are of those who responded to the questions.)

Data is reported both as a whole and by academic department. The graduates were asked about employment status, when they secured employment, salary range, internship experience, plans for continuing education (including degree sought and field of study), and in which state they reside. A listing of employers and job titles as well as graduate schools and programs also are in the report.

To maintain our high response rate for the 2010 survey, departments with newsletters reaching recent alumni are encouraged to inform the December 2009 and May-July 2010 undergraduate class about the upcoming survey mailing in November 2010. Survey respondents will be entered into a drawing for five Amazon.com gift certificates – the grand prize will be worth $100.

This year’s $100 gift certificate winner was Mary Annala ’09.

The complete report may be viewed on the Career Development Center’s website. Hard copies of this report as well as previous reports may be requested by contacting the Career Development Center, (651) 962-6761.