Career and Technical Education Follow-Up Survey of Students

Transcription

1 Career and Technical Education Follow-Up Survey of Students November 2014 Introduction Each year, the Office of Planning and Effectiveness uses Perkins funding to administer a survey of former students in Clark College s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The survey measures students perceptions of how well these programs prepared them for their careers, and supports continuous improvement efforts. At the college level, this report provides data to benchmark and set goals for student outcomes related to program completion. Individual reports are also available for program groups. While the relatively small sample sizes of the program group reports limits the ability to generalize, the results may provide indicators of what merits more in-depth program review and outcomes assessment activities. It is also suggested that this year s program group reports be examined in conjunction with previous years reports, thereby providing a larger sample of student feedback. Methods Students were first contacted via . Those who did not respond to the were then sent a paper survey. If they did not respond to the survey, they were sent a follow-up postcard. Students who received a paper survey could either return the paper survey in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or they could complete an electronic version. Of the 788 students surveyed, 153 students responded (19%). Surveyed students fall into two groups: Graduates are students who earned a transcripted degree or certificate during the academic year. Of the 613 graduates, 140 responded (23%). Transcriptable degrees and certificates do not include short-term training program completions or short-term program certificates. Leavers are students who were enrolled in a career/technical program with an intent to complete a degree or certificate and who had earned 45 or more career/technical credits before leaving the college. Twelve (12) of those credits must have been earned in the previous two years. Of the 175 leavers, 13 responded (7%). The term student refers to both graduates and leavers. Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 1 of 10

2 Highlighted Findings Please note that not all respondents responded to all questions, so the denominators may differ. 9 of graduates (n=140), 54% of leavers (n=13), and 87% combined (n=153) feel they accomplished their primary goal for attending Clark College. 46% of graduates are employed full-time and 3 of graduates are employed part-time. 78% of employed respondents indicated that they were working in their field of study. 7 of graduates report that they are satisfied with their current employment situation. Among those employed full-time (46% of graduates), 83% report that they are very satisfied or satisfied with their current employment situation. Among those employed, 73% of graduates and 7 of leavers reported earning at least $13.76 per hour. At $13.76 per hour for full-time work, the annual salary of $28,620 would place a family of five slightly above the federal poverty guidelines ($27,910). 73% of students were able to find employment within 6 months or were already employed before leaving Clark. 27% of students were able to find employment after 6 months or are still looking. 17% of employed respondents found their job through Clark College resources (internship, externship, clinical, job fair, instructor, Career & Employment Services). 9 of graduates and 73% of leavers feel that Clark College had them prepared or wellprepared for employment in the field of their choice. 96% of graduates and 73% of leavers feel that Clark College had them prepared or wellprepared to meet current industry standards. 52% of graduates (n=116) and 4 of leavers (n=10) report that they obtained a better job as a result of coursework at Clark College. 12% of graduates and 3 of leavers report that they received a raise. 23% of leavers report that they plan to return to Clark College for an Associate s Degree. 36% of graduates report that they have transferred or plan to transfer to a 4-year institution. Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 2 of 10

3 Results Goal Accomplishment 9 of graduates (n=140), 54% of leavers (n=13), and 87% combined (n=153) feel they accomplished their primary goal for attending Clark College. Percentage of graduates with this primary goal Percentage of graduates who feel they accomplished this primary Percentage of leavers with this primary goal Primary Goal goal Improve or gain new 21% 10 62% skills (n=140) (n=30) (n=13) Earn a certificate 8% 82% 15% (n=140) (n=11) (n=13) Earn an Associate's 6 93% 15% Degree (n=140) (n=84) (n=13) Work towards a fouryear 5% 45% 8% degree (n=140) (n=7) (n=13) Other goals 6% 75% (n=140) (n=8) (n=13) *Note: The respondent who marked yes does not have a certificate on record. Percentage of leavers who feel they accomplished their primary goal 75% (n=8) 5* (n=2) (n=2) (n=1) n/a (n=0) Other goals specified: AAS nursing Become a dental hygienist Earn a certificate or Associate's; to be able to work from home due to health problems - telecommute. Enter a new career field. Gain skills to change careers. Gain the skills to find good employment Have a career for a better job. Obtain the education that I needed to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Start a new career Work/career development and gain a 4 year degree Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 3 of 10

4 Primary Goal Improve or gain new skills Earn a certificate Earn an Associate's Degree Work towards a four-year degree Other goals Responses to If no, please explain why you do not feel you accomplished your primary goal in attending Clark College. Leavers: I feel the program title helped me get my foot in the door, but the knowledge from class was outdated and useless not finished yet Graduates: I got my Clark and have achieved that goal. But am still trying to find a job in the field I studied for. Not enough material and classes Leavers: Started working. Was difficult to work full time and take classes Graduates: Accounting degree hasn't helped me so I'm going for a business transfer now. I have a AAS degree but no one would talk to me about a job. After a year and a half went back to being a machinest I wanted to get the advanced certificate but was unable to pass the required ASE cert tests The construction program was not easy to figure out no one knew what was going on or what classes I should of taken to get my AA so I was short a credit The program I was going for was no longer offered Leavers: Personal and financial reasons Still need two classes Graduates: Because I need to take two more classes before starting on bachelors degree. First it was to earn a cert. then it changed to transfer for my BA. I wasn't able to complete my BA at a community college rate In progress Leavers Cost of schooling too high, having to take out loans to pay for schooling which does not promise a living wage job. Ultimately I settled on vocational courses to ensure pertinent employment skills. Graduates: It has been a year since completing the program and am still looking for work, I have had a few interviews and they want more experience. I thought that is what the externships were to help with. No one in this field accepts a certificate. Most want 2+ years of experience or a BA Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 4 of 10

5 Current Employment and Employment Satisfaction 46% of graduates are employed full-time and 3 of graduates are employed part-time. 78% of employed respondents indicated that they were working in their field of study. 7 of graduates report that they are satisfied with their current employment situation. Among those employed full-time (46% of graduates), 83% report that they are very satisfied or satisfied with their current employment situation. Graduates with this employment situation Graduates (n=140) Employed fulltime (64 students) 46% Employed parttime (42 students) 3 Unemployed 14% (20 students) Not employed 7% and not looking (10 students) Did not respond 3% (4 students) Very satisfied with employment situation Satisfied with employment situation Dissatisfied with employment situation Very Dissatisfied with employment situation 36% 47% 8% 3% 29% 48% 1 12% 5% n/a n/a n/a n/a Wages Among those employed, 73% of graduates and 7 of leavers reported earning at least $13.76 per hour. At $13.76 per hour for full-time work, the annual salary of $28,620 would place a family of five slightly above the federal poverty guidelines ($27,910). 10 Hourly wage for current position, among employed respondents % 5 45% 28% 2 27% 24% 2 23% 4% 1 4% Graduates Leavers Combined $9.18 $9.19 to $13.75 $13.76 to $19.25 $19.26 or more Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 5 of 10

6 Locating a Job 73% of students were able to find employment within 6 months or were already employed before leaving Clark. 27% of students were able to find employment after 6 months or are still looking. (142 students responded to this item.) After leaving Clark College, how long did it take you to find a job? Already employed before leaving Clark College 19% 29% Up to 1 month 8% 13% 16% 15% 1 3 months 4 6 months Over 6 months Still looking 17% of employed respondents found their job through Clark College resources (internship, externship, clinical, job fair, instructor, Career & Employment Services). Percentage of employed How did you locate your job? respondents (n=68) Clark College internship, externship, clinical, etc. 1 Online resources 38% Networking through family, friends, other students, etc. 22% Clark College job fair, instructor, Career & Employment Services 7% Walk in, newspaper, sent resume 13% Other 9% Other, please describe: WorkSource Worked at PHSW in another capacity This job was referred to me by my employer at the time. Responded to temp agency ad Now hiring sign in store My husband and I have purchased two businesses Got hired at a temp position for holidays in a retail store After looking for nearly 6 months I decided to go on for a 4 year degree in hopes that it would help me land a job. Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 6 of 10

7 Preparation 9 of graduates and 73% of leavers feel that Clark College had them prepared or wellprepared for employment in the field of their choice. How well do you feel your education at Clark College prepared you for employment in the field of your choice? % 38% 18% 53% 55% Graduates Leavers Well Prepared Prepared Not Adequately Prepared 96% of graduates and 73% of leavers feel that Clark College had them prepared or wellprepared to meet current industry standards. How well did Clark College prepare you to meet current industry standards? % 48% 27% 48% 45% Graduates Leavers Well Prepared Prepared Not Adequately Prepared Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 7 of 10

8 Benefits 52% of graduates (n=116) and 4 of leavers (n=10) report that they obtained a better job as a result of coursework at Clark College. 12% of graduates and 3 of leavers report that they received a raise. What benefits have you received as a result of your coursework at Clark College? Received a raise 12% 3 Received a promotion 7% 3 Obtained a better job 4 52% Moved to a better work environment 25% 9 More business (if self employed) Encouraged to return to school 5% 21% Successfully completed licensure, etc. Other % Leavers Graduates Other Benefits: Automotive Technology BMED - Medical Information BMED - Medical Office Business Administration - Accounting passed my ASE tests I will be taking my RHIT certification exam on Nothing yet - I've never in my life had to work as laborious for as long of hours for the least that I've ever gotten paid. New friendships, self esteem, self worth No benefits other than being employed at this time not employed in the medical field As a single father of 3 girls I feel they have benfited by seeing the improtance of education no matter when, where, or how you start. Clark let me take a special projects class so I could take a tax training program at H&R Block, then they hired me for the season :) Made me realize how much I need to learn to adequately fill a spot in a company in the field I am interested in. Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 8 of 10

9 Business Administration - Management Computer Graphics Technology Early Childhood Education Machining Technology Mechatronics Network Technology Pharmacy Technician Surveying and Geomatics Web Development My goal was personal, I wanted to earn a degree with Highest Honors. The main benefit for me was the confidence that I feel for having achieved that goal. May have helped me get my first job, but the degree was not a qualification. I've learned how to use some Adobe applications I obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education, so at least I have a place to start and an interest. Kept my job. Required an AA to keep the position full time Obtained a new job and offered others Trust and respect from co-workers and supervisor Unemployed at the moment Clark College,thank you for helping me learn what I needed to succeed in my career. With what I have learned at Clark College I have been employed at my job for 1 1/2 years and have been promoted to Facility Manager. Amazing Mechatronics courses. It was what I needed to excel in my career. I am not employed and my job status in 2001 was fast food worker. I am going into the IT field and it would of been nice to have help in learning how to go about finding companies that are local, which when I asked the Employment Services, they were not helpful at all for someone who has never done anything like this before. None...It was a good basis but seems to require more to get employed I got to work in my favorite field Prepared for a new career as a pharmacy technician. Gained valuable networking and resume writing skills. Sadly, none yet On track for licensure Filled me with confidence to start my own company. Met [instructors] all of whom are super awesome if you didn't already know. Tell them I said hi! Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 9 of 10

10 Future Plans 23% of leavers report that they plan to return to Clark College for an Associate s Degree. 36% of graduates report that they have transferred or plan to transfer to a 4-year institution. 10 Are you currently or do you plan to: % 23% Return to Clark College for an Associate's Degree 2% 8% Attend another community college 36% 15% Transfer to a 4 year institution 7% 8% Return to Clark College for prerequisites 15% 15% 13% 8% Return to Clark College for job related classes Return to Clark College for personal enrichment classes 42% 38% None of the above Graduates Leavers Follow-Up Survey of Leavers and Graduates, November 2014 Page 10 of 10