First Destination Survey
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The SDState First Destination Survey provides insight into the various career paths students take upon graduation. Survey data are used to measure the effectiveness of programs, identify employment opportunities of 海角直播app 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 海角直播app 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
- Postgraduate plans
- Employment information
- Volunteer/service information
- Military information
The survey was sent electronically to graduating seniors four 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 247 summer 2020, 501 fall 2020 and 1,089 spring 2021 graduating seniors. Of these, 828 students completed the survey (45% response rate). The overall undergraduate placement rate for 2020-2021 is 88.3% (employed full time/part time + graduate school + other endeavors/total).
Overall Undergraduate Placement Rate
- 88.3%: Overall placement rate
Post-Graduate Plans
- 51.2%: Employed full time
- 2.4%: Employed part Ttime
- 19.7%: Enrolled in continuing education program or graduate school
- 6.2%: Planning to continue education but not yet enrolled
- 11.7%: Seeking employment
- 7.4%: Still interviewing/deciding between job offers
- 0.4%: Not seeking employment or continuing education/graduate school
- 1%: Serving in the U.S. military
Primary Activity
- 91.1%: Felt their primary postgraduate activity was related to their 海角直播app program of study
- 81.2%: Felt the postgraduate activity required the completion of a program or degree
- 91.4%: Felt their primary activity required the use of knowledge and skills they obtained through their education
- 62.9%: Perceived their primary activity as an entry-level position
Employment Information
- 55.5%: Traditional employer
- 2.4%: Entrepreneur/self-employed
- 6%: Temporary/contract work
- 2.9%: Postgraduate internship or fellowship
Employment Locations
- 67.0%: South Dakota
- 15.9%: Minnesota
- 5.9%: Iowa
- 1.8%: Nebraska
- 1.3%: Texas
