Class of 2008 Post Graduate Survey

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Executive SummaryClass of 2008 Post Graduate Survey

The goal of this survey was to capture a representative sample of the Class of 2008 to determine the post-graduation

career and graduate school activities of individuals at the six month after graduation point. We were very pleased with a

41% overall response rate, achieved through a number of marketing initiatives. Even more impressive in this economy

is the finding that approximately 91% of those surveyed are employed, attending graduate school, pursuing additional

undergraduate coursework, or in the military. It should also come as no surprise that 63% of this sample is engaged in

public sector employment, reflecting Westfield State College’s primary mission of assisting students to develop intellectually

and to use their knowledge and skills to improve the social and economic conditions in their communities.

It is exciting to see the wide range of professional activities of these new graduates. Members of the College Community

have worked hard to guide and support these individuals during their undergraduate years. It is satisfying to see the

outcome of these efforts as students launch their professional careers or pursue advanced study in a wide range of fields and

industries.

We are pleased to present our second annual post graduate survey. Using a systematic and comprehensive approach to

gathering this type of data we can examine our progress with students over time. This information should be helpful in

guiding our work on behalf of students and alumni.

This project, coordinated by the Career Center, was truly a collaborative campus-wide effort. Heather Cahill, Alumni

Outreach Coordinator for the Career Center Staff and Dean Lisa Plantefaber of Institutional Research managed this

exciting project working closely with colleagues from Advancement and College Relations, Alumni Affairs, and Information

Technology, in particular. We hope you find the report useful. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Sincerely,

Maureen McCartney

Director, Office of Career Services

About the SurveyThe Class of 2008 Post-Graduate Survey, conducted by the Office of Career Services, was completed in January 2009. Graduates were contacted via US Mail and via email, beginning in November 2008, to complete an online survey. Throughout December and January, the Career Center repeatedly invited recent graduates to take the survey. Data was also collected via phone. Altogether, 378 graduates (41% of graduates) provided information.

If you would like more information please contact the Career Center at 413-572-5206 or careers@wsc.ma.edu.

What is the Class of 2008 doing?Members of the Class of 2008 were asked to select their primary activity six months after graduation.

71% ·········Employment

10% ·········Both Employment and Graduate School

8% ·············Graduate School

5% ·············Seeking employment

2% ·············Additional undergraduate coursework

2% ·············Other

1% ·············Military

. 5% ··········Volunteer/Community Services position

.5% ···········UndecidedGraduate study: Academy of Art UniversityAmerican International CollegeAssumption CollegeBen-Gurion UniversityBridgewater State CollegeClark UniversityFitchburg State CollegeFramingham State CollegeNortheastern UniversitySalem State CollegeSpringfield CollegeSuffolk UniversityThe New England College of OptometryUniversity of CincinnatiUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of MarylandUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts LowellUniversity of New HavenUniversity of South FloridaUniversity of Texas Health Science Center Western New England CollegeWestern New England College School of LawWestfield State CollegeWheelock College

Randi Lucius ’08CommunicationsWestfield, MA

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EmploymentKey Employers

Baystate Health Care Systems The Key Program

Berkshire Bank Longmeadow Public Schools

Center for Human Development Ludlow Public Schools

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Springfield Public Schools

Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Westfield State College

For a full list of employers visit the Career Services website

www.wsc.ma.edu/careerservices

79% of respondents felt their career was related to their major.

38% found employment before they graduated

39% found employment one to three months after graduation

23% took longer than three months to find a job

Salary Information

Starting salary information was provided by 193 of the survey respondents who reported some level of employment after graduation. The chart below outlines salary ranges after graduation.

Employment by industry for 2008 graduates:

Education .................................................38%Law Enforcement & Security ...................10%Finance, Insurance & Real Estate .............7%Social Services ..........................................7%Retail Trade ...............................................5%Accounting .................................................3%Engineering/Research ...............................3%Health Services .........................................3%Marketing/Advertising ................................3%Mental Health ............................................3%Other ..........................................................3%Government/Public Administration ............2%Hospitality Services ...................................2%Personal Service .......................................2%Technical Support ......................................2%Communications ........................................1%Construction ..............................................1%Legal Profession ........................................1%Military .......................................................1%Printing, Publishing and Allied Industries ...1%Sales ..........................................................1%Transportation Services .............................1%

Sam Gardner ’08Movement ScienceWestfield, MA

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

volunteer/unpaid

less than $19,999

$20,000-$29,999

$30,000-$39,000

$40,000-$49,000

$50,000-$59,000

$60,000-$69,000

$70,000 or above

Office of Career Services The Office of Career Services provides a number of programs and services to assist students in their job search and career management. Those services include:

· Personal career advising appointments

· Career and job search workshops

· Job fairs

· Employer networking events

· Job and internship postings

· Weekly electronic announcements to market jobs and events

· Extensive web resources

· Mock interviews

· Mentor program

· Classroom presentations

· Etiquette Dinner

· On-campus employer visits

Of those graduates responding to our survey, 44% said they visited the Career Center or took part in a Career Center

sponsored program while at Westfield State College. 43% participated in an internship while at Westfield State College.

Where did they go? Graduates from the Class of 2008 live all across the US

and internationally as well.

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of

graduates responding to our survey report Massachusetts

as their top destination after graduation, choosing to

remain in Massachusetts for either graduate school or

employment opportunities.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of those who remained in Massachusetts stayed in the Greater

Springfield area.

WSC Graduates by Location

87%

9%

3%

1%

Massachusetts

New England (other thanMA)United States (otherthan New England)International

Michael Primeau ’08Criminal Justice

Westfield State College

Senior Administration

Dr. Evan DobellePresident

Nanci E. SalvidioExecutive Assistant to the President

Associate Vice President, Advancement and College Relations

Dr. Robert HayesVice President, Academic Affairs

Timothy C. MurphyVice President, Administration and Finance

Kenneth LemanskiVice President, Advancement and College Relations

Barry M. MaloneyVice President, Student Affairs

Dr. Carol PerssonVice President, Enrollment Management

Career Center Staff

Maureen McCartney, M.S.W., M.Ed. Director, Office of Career Services

Coordinator of the Washington Internship Program

Junior Delgado, M.Ed., B.A. Associate Director & Coordinator of Employer Services and Senior Programs

Giselle Cartier, M.Ed., B.A.Assistant Director & Coordinator of Experiential Education

Heather Cahill, M.S., B.A.Staff Assistant, Coordinator of Career Alumni Relations and Research

Sharon KingClerk IV

Lori PutnamClerk IV

An education leader and innovator since 1838

P.O. Box 1630Westfield, MA 01086-1630

www.wsc.ma.edu