Results of graduate survey gives UF insight into plans

August 20, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Career Resource Center, in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Planning and Research and the Office of the University Registrar, launched UF’s first university-wide graduation survey during the spring 2012 semester.

The survey assessed students’ educational and employment plans after graduation, and garnered an impressive 50 percent response rate. Because the survey was disseminated several weeks prior to graduation, many students may not have finalized employment or educational plans.

“The results indicate that nine out of 10 graduates have immediate plans following graduation either for a job or to pursue another degree,” said Heather White, director of the Career Resource Center. “We believe those are extremely positive indications of our students’ ability to lead in both the educational and employment sectors.”

Among the findings:

  • Sixty percent of UF students intended to work full- or part-time jobs; 29 percent indicated they would continue enrollment in graduate school.
  • Of students surveyed who indicated they had plans for employment after graduation, nearly 40 percent had already accepted a full-time position.
  • Of the students who had already secured employment, 28 percent of students found their full- or part-time opportunities through the Career Resource Center or career fairs, two of the three leading avenues of how students secured positions. Twelve percent secured employment through professional contacts and 8 percent found their positions through their academic departments including faculty and advisers.
  • Fifty-five percent of students are staying in Florida for employment following graduation.

The initial survey was disseminated in April and will be distributed again six months after graduation in order to capture a fuller picture of what Gators do after graduation because many students’ plans are not quite confirmed during the week of graduation.

Due to the success of the initial survey, which was optional for students, UF is requiring survey participation as a component of the graduation application process.

“The data helps the university tell the Gator story and gives the institution a tremendous opportunity to share the successes of our students,” White said. “Having information from all UF graduates makes our story that much more powerful by providing a well-rounded snapshot of what life will be like for students following graduation.”

The survey has become a requirement beginning with the summer 2012 graduating class.

The data is used by the institution in aggregate form only for accountability, program review and accreditation purposes. Students’ names are not associated with any of the data and individual responses are not disclosed.

Survey results are available on the Office of Institutional Planning and Research website: http://www.ir.ufl.edu/graduation_survey/. For more information about the survey, contact the Career Resource Center at 352-392-1601.