2000 Alumni Survey

Introduction

In Spring 2000, the Offices of Assessment and Institutional Research surveyed 818 alumni who received bachelor's degrees in December 1996, May 1997 and August 1997. Thirty-one percent (254) of the surveys were returned. As you review the results that follow, note the striking similarity to the Graduating Senior Survey data.

Highlights

  1. 91% "agree" or "strongly agree" that they have learned to view learning as a lifelong experience.
  2. 85% "agree" or "strongly agree" that UW-Green Bay provides a strong interdisciplinary, problem-focused education.
  3. 80% "agree" or "strongly agree" that their experiences and course work at UW-Green Bay encouraged them to think creatively and innovatively.
  4. 77% "agree" or "strongly agree" that they would recommend UW-Green bay to a friend, co-worker, or family member.
  5. 55% would return to UW-Green Bay and complete the same major if they started college over; 22% would return to UW-Green Bay but choose another major.
  6. 93% gave an A or B to the quality of the teaching in their major (mean = 3.4).
  7. 32% have been accepted for, are currently enrolled in, or have already completed a graduate/professional degree program.
  8. 83% are working full-time and 9% are working part-time.
  9. Slightly less than half (47%) work in positions that are "very related" to their major and 38% work in positions that are "somewhat related" to their major.
  10. 70% report being "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their current job.
  11. The median salary of respondents working full-time is about $30,000.

Are alumni well prepared?  How important are the skills and knowledge developed at UW-Green Bay to their current work?

The top five skills for which alumni gave marks of "excellent or "good" were:

  1. critical analysis skills (74%)
  2. problem-solving skills (73%)
  3. written communication skills (68%)
  4. listening skills (63%)
  5. reading skills (58%)

The skills and knowledge considered "very important" or "important" to their current work included:

  1. problem-solving skills (93%)
  2. listening skills (89%)
  3. critical analysis skills (89%)
  4. leadership and management skills (85%)
  5. written communication skills (83%)
Table 1.  Academic Preparation
Item, skill, or knowledge area % Receiving "Excellent" or "Good" Preparation Ratings % Rating Item "Important" or "Very Important" to Current Work
Problem solving 73% 93%
Critical analysis 74% 89%
Understanding . . . 
Biology/physical environment concepts  50% 36%
Impact of science and technology 48% 50%
Social, political, geographic, and economic structures 40% 40%
Impact of social institutions and values 56% 56%
Significance of major events in Western civilization 31% 21%
Literature 40% 21%
The role of humanities in identifying and clarifying values 52% 46%
Fine Arts 39% 16%
Global issues 39% 27%
Cultural diversity 54% 53%
Written communication 68% 83%
Public speaking 54% 69%
Reading skills 58% 76%
Listening skills 63% 89%
Leadership and management skills 52% 85%