CTE Student Outcomes Survey - 2016 Introduction The summer of 2016 marked the fourth annual iteration of the Career Technical Education Outcome Survey (CTEOS). Per past surveys, students were identified per the criteria listed below and asked to provide information as to their personal perceptions of their training received while attending Columbia College and of their employment outcomes. Where applicable, many respondents voluntarily provided information regarding their employment status particularly, the impact of their training on their current employment status, and whether their current job related to the same field as their studies. When willing, some also provided information about their wages, e.g., any increases after completing. CTE students that were selected for the survey met the following criteria: Were enrolled with Columbia College during previous 12-24 months prior to the survey, Had earned a vocational award or certificate(s), or had earned at least 9 vocational credit units in a single field of study, and Had not been enrolled with Columbia during the academic year (2015-2016) prior to the survey. Note: For the remainder of this report the surveyed students are referred to as completers or respondents.
Logistics and Background Of the 278 completers identified from the selected call list, a total of 250 still had valid contact information. Each of the 250 were contacted by one or more of the following: a) a telephone call, b) a voice mail when the phone call went unanswered (up to three); or c) sent emails with a link to the online survey. Over the four-week period beginning early May to mid-june, 2016, 97 former students were available and responded to the survey (a 38% response rate ). Beginning with the 2015 CTEOS, the administration of the survey changed slightly in content and in administration. Whereas the first two years surveys were conducted through a paid service through Santa Rosa College, the third and fourth years were managed and summarized locally via the Columbia College Institutional Research Office. Survey summaries for all surveys are available through the gocolumbia.edu website. (See: Links to References, A.5). OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 2 of 10
Highlights CTEOS 2016 Survey Overall, when asked to rate their satisfaction with the education and training received at Columbia College, completers expressed a significant level of satisfaction with the training and the instruction received at Columbia College. Nearly all, 95 of 97 respondents (98%) indicated they were satisfied, to very satisfied with the quality of instruction and the training they received while at Columbia. The comments were generally favorable: Most of the 69 comments provided were favorable and related to instructors (75%) followed by the college environment and the natural beauty of the Columbia campus. Several spoke specifically of the relationships they had formed with both students, faculty or staff and how the help they had received had been crucial to their success both at the college and at their present employment. Others comments included being able to stay in, or advance in careers, for the skills acquired to qualify for a new job, and another to start a business. Overall, 10% of the comments mentioned qualifying for their present job, a new job or for pay increases (See: Question #12). Comments for Improvement: Five comments (7%) related to improvements to the College. One related to eliminating the frustration of course cancellations, three more mentioned not having flexible schedules or online courses to accommodate work schedules, and another related to the lack of marketing for upcoming course schedules and course offerings. Over half of the 88 respondents to Question #6 had either met their goals and/or had completed their programs (58% and 50% respectively). Many were planning to, or were continuing their studies (20%) with some already transferred to another college or university to pursue further studies (16%). Some left college due to work schedules or job changes (49%), or were taking a break from classes and/or were unsure of what they wanted (10% and 3% respectively). A few had experienced family issues (10%) or indicated their studies were interrupted due to financial concerns (7%). No respondents (0%) indicated the program was not what they wanted, or that their goal took too long to complete, or that they found they were unprepared for the program or coursework. OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 3 of 10
Question Summaries The first question for the completers was to ask why they chose to attend Columbia College and then why they left or exited the college. Reasons for Attending Most of the respondents indicated certificates, degrees and/or transfer as their primary reason for enrolled at Columbia (90%). Question #2. What was your Primary objective in choosing to study at Columbia? Reasons for Exit Question #6. If you are not enrolled (or no longer enrolled) at Columbia College, can you let us know why? (check all that apply) The top five reasons respondents gave for leaving Columbia were, in rank order: OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 4 of 10
Question #6 Comments: Can you tell us why you are no longer enrolled at Columbia College (check all that apply)? Employment Question #7. Are you currently working (employed)? Of the 97 respondents, 76 (78%) indicated they were currently employed 62 respondents were employed full-time (See: Question #15: 76% full-time, 13% part-time, and 10% employed less than 20 hours per week). OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 5 of 10
Question #8. What best describes your current employment status? Most also indicated employment at one job (79%), or employed at more than one job (11%), or selfemployed (8%). Question #9. How long (in months) did it take you to find a job after completing or leaving Columbia? The majority of respondents were already employed, or had found work within 3 months of leaving Columbia (75%): Question #10. If you are currently employed, what is your job title or role? Please refer to the full survey extract: http://www.gocolumbia.edu/institutional_research/cteos_summary_170310.pdf Question # 11. After leaving Columbia College, did you... Many of the respondents stated they had completed outside certifications in their fields. OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 6 of 10
Comments in terms of the types of certifications earned by the respondents: a. Fire or fire related (11) b. Water Treatment (1) c. GIS Journey Level (1) d. EMT (3) e. Airplane Mechanic (1) f. Pre-school Teacher and Master Teacher (2) g. Hospitality and Tourism (1) h. Commercial License (1) i. Automotive (3) j. Multiple credentials (17) Question #12. What impact did your studies at Columbia College have on your employment? Question #13. Did you look for work immediately after you finished you courses and training? OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 7 of 10
Question #15. Is your current job: Questions 16 and 22. What was your salary before and after leaving Columbia: Of the 35 respondents who provided wage information - both before and after attendance--the selfreported mean average for the respondents increased from an average $15.47 per hour to $22.59 per hour representing a 31% increase over wages earned prior to completing their programs. Question #18. How closely related is your current job to your field of study? This was a new question for the 2016 report and of the 82 completers who responded this question, 53 indicated their work was closely related (65%) and another 8% were close to their programs of study. The following compares the completers self-reported CTE program subjects to the current employment and how close their work matches their studies: Very Close Close Not Close Total Student Program of Record* N# % N# % N# % N# % Allied Health 2 66.7% 1 33.3% 0.0% 3 100% Automotive 1 25.0% 0.0% 3 75.0% 4 100% Business Administration 1 33.3% 1 33.3% 1 33.3% 3 100% Child Development 7 87.5% 0.0% 1 12.5% 8 100% Computer Science 5 83.3% 0.0% 1 16.7% 6 100% Culinary/Hosp Mgt 1 33.3% 0.0% 2 66.7% 3 100% EMS Certificate, Culinary Certificates 1 100% 0.0% 0.0% 1 100% Entrepreneur 1 50.0% 1 50.0% 0.0% 2 100% Fire Science 25 89.3% 1 3.6% 2 7.1% 28 100% FNR 5 45.5% 0.0% 6 54.5% 11 100% GIS Program 1 100% 0.0% 0.0% 1 100% Liberal Studies 0.0% 1 16.7% 5 83.3% 6 100% Medical office 0.0% 0.0% 1 100% 1 100% Personal Interest (Enrichment) 0.0% 1 100% 0.0% 1 100% Resources/Wastewater 2 66.7% 1 33.3% 0.0% 3 100% Welding 1 100% 0.0% 0.0% 1 100% Grand Total 53 64.6% 7 8.5% 22 26.8% 82 100% * Self-reported OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 8 of 10
Pursing Further Study and Transfer Where completers indicated transfer as one of their reasons for leaving Columbia College (Question #6), the following matches their self-reported programs of study (Question #3 to Question #18 and comments): Completers who transferred to another college: N# % of 97 Allied Health 2 2.1% Business Administration 1 1.0% Child Development 2 2.1% Computer Science 1 1.0% Fire Science 1 1.0% FNR 3 3.1% Liberal Studies (Pre-Engineering) 4 4.1% Grand Total 14 15.9% All of the 22 questions were not provided individually for this summary. The complete 2016 survey s results in question form is available (but edited to hide names and identifying sensitive information) at the Columbia College Institutional Effectiveness website, Survey Results and CTE Outcome Survey 2016 via this link: http://www.gocolumbia.edu/institutional_research/surveyresults.php. For more information regarding the CTE Outcome Survey series, please contact: Office of Institutional Research, Columbia College (209) 588-5389 11600 Columbia College Dr. Sonora, CA 95370 OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 9 of 10
Links to References A.1 Reprint of 2016 online survey questions and format A.2 2016 Aggregated Summary by Question A.3 Link to Columbia College CTE website A.4 Link to Columbia College Institutional Research website A.5 Previous annual CTEOS Summaries: 2015 CTE Outcomes Survey Results 2014 CTE Outcomes Survey Results 2013 CTE Outcomes Survey Results OIR - November 2016 Columbia College Page 10 of 10