A Survey of UCSB Graduates

The quality of a university's undergraduate education is reflected in the experiences and accomplishments of its graduates. For students who are just beginning their years here at UCSB, as well as for their parents, the prospects of graduation and beyond often seem distant and unimaginable. As part of an ongoing effort to evaluate the short-term impact of a UCSB undergraduate education on the achievements of its graduates, the Office of Budget and Planning conducts a survey of bachelor degree recipients. The most recent survey assesses the graduating class of Spring/Summer, 2004. Questionnaires were sent to 3,360 graduates approximately one year after graduation. Five hundred and forty-nine alumni completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 16%.

One year after graduating, UCSB alumni exhibited success in obtaining employment as well as entering into post-graduate degree programs. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of UCSB graduates were employed full-time, while three out of ten (31%) were enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program.

The following profile summarizes the major findings of the survey.

• Six out of ten (60%) alumni who entered the work force full-time regard their positions as having definite career potential.



• The importance of a college degree was clearly indicated by the survey results. Two-thirds (67%) of those employed full-time affirm that a college degree was required to obtain their position. Nearly three-fourths (73%) are employed in fields related to their undergraduate majors.



• Ninety-three percent (93%) of full-time employees report that UCSB prepared them "adequately" (36%), "l;more than adequately" (36%), or "very well" (21%) for their present occupations.



• The most common fields of full-time employment reported are: Financial Services/Accounting (19%), Marketing/Sales/Advertising (15%), Education (11%), Business Administration/Management (8%), and Engineering (7%).



• Alumni responding to the survey indicate they received the best preparation at UCSB in the following skill areas: ability to think analytically (80% received "more than adequate" or "excellent" preparation), ability to think independently (77%), intellectual curiosity (77%), competency in your major (75%), problem solving skills (71%), research skills (69%), and effective writing skills (69%).



• The most common academic goal among students who enrolled in post-graduate education is an academic Master's degree. Forty-six percent (46%) of alumni enrolled in post-graduate programs were pursuing an academic Master's, while an additional 11% were enrolled in professional Master's degree programs. One-third (33%) was working towards a doctorate degree (12% law, 11% academic, 9% medicine, 1% other). One out of ten (10%) was pursuing a teaching credential.



• Among those who enrolled in post-graduate education, ten percent (10%) are either currently attending or have completed a graduate program at UCSB. Thirty-one percent (31%) enrolled at another California university, such as a private university. One-fourth (24%) studied at a Cal State University, 23% have gone out-of-state to pursue post-graduate education, and 10% enrolled at another UC campus.



• Nearly all (98%) alumni pursuing post-graduate education report that UCSB prepared them "adequately" (25%), "more than adequately" (34%), or "very well" (39%) for graduate or professional school.



• Ninety-one percent (91%) of recent graduates said if they had to do it again, they would choose to attend UCSB (66% definitely yes, 25% probably yes).



• These findings suggest that UCSB provides an enriching and high quality undergraduate education and excellent preparation for both those who choose to seek professional employment upon graduation and those who wish to continue their studies in graduate or professional schools.