First Destination Survey: 2018-2019
The SDSTATE First Destination Survey to provide insight into the various career paths students take upon graduation. Survey data are used to measure the effectiveness of programs, identify employment opportunities of SDSU graduates, and improve academic programs. Survey results also help identify career expectations and opportunities for prospective and current undergraduate students. The First Destination Survey supports the SDSU mission by collecting student outcome data to ensure students received a rich academic experience that supports their personal and professional paths.
Methods
The survey was designed following recommendations from the .
The First Destination Survey sections included:
- Student information
- Post-graduate plans
- Employment information
- Volunteer/Service information
- Military information
The survey was sent electronically to graduating seniors 4 weeks prior to commencement. Students receive two reminders and departments encourage students to participate in the survey. Departments also provided data.
Response rate
The survey was sent to 1,794 fall 2018 and spring 2021 graduating seniors. Of these, 787 students completed the survey (44% response rate). The overall undergraduate placement rate for 2018-2019 is 92.6% (employed full-time/part-time + graduate school + other endeavors/total).
.ff-items {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
margin-left: -4px;
margin-right: -4px;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.ff-item {
flex-grow: 0;
flex-shrink: 0;
flex-basis: calc(100% - 8px);
background-color: rgba(13, 34, 62, 1);
padding: 14px;
margin: 5px;
text-align: center;
box-sizing: border-box;
width: calc(100% - 8px);
margin: 0 4px 8px;
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.ff-item::before {
content: url(/sites/default/files/file-archive/2018-12/triangle-before.png);
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
z-index: 0;
}
.ff-item::after {
content: url(/sites/default/files/file-archive/2018-12/triangle-after.png);
position: absolute;
bottom: -12px;
right: 0;
z-index: 0;
}
.ff-title {
font-size: .975em;
color: #fed106;
margin-top: 0;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
position: relative;
z-index: 1;
padding:8px;
}
.ff-stats {
color: #fff;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
padding-bottom:8px;
}
.ff-stat-label {
flex-grow: 0;
flex-shrink: 0;
flex-basis: 0 0 50%;
}
.ff-stat {
padding:0 8px;
}
.ff-stat:nth-child(2) {
border-left: 1px solid #fff;
padding-left: 10px;
}
.ff-stat-value {
font-size: 2.25em;
line-height: 1.24675em;
font-family: "Roboto Slab", serif;
font-weight: 800;
}
.ff-stat-label {
font-size: 1em;
box-sizing: border-box;
position: relative;
z-index: 2;
}
@media only screen and (min-width:1100px) {
.ff-item {
flex-grow: 0;
flex-shrink: 0;
flex-basis: calc(33% - 8px);
}
}
Overall Undergraduate Placement Rate
92.6%
Overall Placement Rate
Post-Graduate Plans
19.4%
Enrolled in Continuing Education Program or Graduate School
5.6%
Planning to Continue Education but not yet Enrolled
4.4%
Still Interviewing/Deciding between Job Offers
0.1%
Participating in Volunteer or Service Program
0.5%
Serving in the U.S. Military
Primary Activity
88.6%
Felt their Primary Postgraduate Activity was Related to their SDSU Program of Study
79.9%
Felt the Postgraduate Activity Required the Completion of a Program or Degree
89.8%
Felt their Primary Activity Required the Use of Knowledge and Skills they Obtained through Their Education
61.0%
Perceived Their Primary Activity as an Entry Level Position
Employment Information
47.8%
Traditional Employer
4.5%
Entrepreneur/Self-Employed
7.8%
Temporary/Contract Work
5.9%
Postgraduate Internship or Fellowship
Contact Us
Office of Institutional Research & Assessment
Morrill Hall, Room 233
Box 2201
Brookings, SD 57007
Phone: 605-688-5514
Email: SDSU.OIRA@sdstate.edu
