Assessment Matters: First Destination Outcomes for the Class of 2017

In partnership with the Office of Research, Planning, and Assessment, Deans, and faculty, the Office of Career Planning (OCP) has been appointed by the College to deploy and interpret the First Destination Survey (FDS) annually.  The FDS collects career outcome information including employment, graduate school enrollment, fellowships, internships, service and gap year programs, military service and entrepreneurial endeavors of seniors graduating in May, August, and December.

Why collect data and who needs it?

Institutional accountability for student career outcomes (employment & graduate school, salary information) has become a top priority across the country.   The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) requires annual data reporting and the resulting outcomes are critical to many departments on Meredith’s campus.  This information also helps the Career Planning team know who may still need assistance in their job search or graduate school pursuits.

Outcomes for the Meredith College Class of 2017 (August & December 2016, May 2017) are as follows:

•             Total respondents from the Class of 2017 that are either employed, interning, in graduate/professional school, volunteer service, and/or military service: 90%

•             Employed/Internship/Volunteer/Military: 81%

•             Graduate/Professional School: 15%

*Note: Some graduates are both employed and in graduate school

Over the past five years, 92.2.% of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study within a few short months of graduation.

First Destination Outcomes for the Class of 2018

First destination data is currently being collected for the Class of 2018 (graduating in August and December 2017, May 2018) and your help is needed to help obtain this data.  If your department keeps a list of recent graduates, their contact information and job or graduate school enrollment status, we would like to hear from you. Contact the Office of Career Planning to learn more ways you can be involved in this important initiative.