SURVEY OF 1990-91 GRADUATES

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ask the UC Santa Cruz 1990-91 graduating class about their current educational and occupational activities, views about the undergraduate education at UC Santa Cruz, the campus' contribution to their intellectual and personal development, and abilities and skills developed or enhanced at the University. Five hundred and three graduates (24%) answered the surveys. Acceptance rates for graduate/professional school were quite high, with over 90% of those who applied receiving at least one offer of acceptance. About one-fourth of the graduates were currently enrolled in postbaccalaureate educational programs. Sixty-three percent of the graduates who chose to enter the work force had obtained full-time employment, but about one-in-six were unable to obtain acceptable employment. Santa Cruz graduates were quite satisfied with their undergraduate education, and perceived the University to have played a positive and influential role in their intellectual and personal development. Graduates expressed concern about advising, campus growth, course availability, and the possibility that the campus might lose its distinctive character and emphasis on undergraduate education.

Executive Summary

Students who graduated in the spring, summer, or fall quarters of 1990 or winter quarter of 1991 were asked to describe and evaluate their experiences at UC Santa Cruz. The questionnaire was developed by the Institutional Research and Policy Studies group of the Office of Planning and Budget in consultation with the Office of Financial Aid. The questionnaire covered many facets of the undergraduate experience including graduates' views about the quality of undergraduate education, the campus' contributions to their intellectual development, abilities and skills enhanced at the University, and students' financial resources and housing while undergraduates. The survey also collected data on graduates' educational background, educational plans and goals, current occupation, and attitudes toward UCSC. When appropriate, the 1990-91 graduates are compared with survey results from the 1988 graduating class. The surveys were distributed with students' diplomas. About twenty-five percent of the graduates (503 people) returned the questionnaire.

Educational and Occupational Activities

The survey found that Santa Cruz graduates were well-prepared for further education or entering the job market. Specifically, the survey revealed that:

two-thirds of Santa Cruz graduates plan to apply to post-baccalaureate programs;
Santa Cruz graduates appear to be very successful in gaining admission to graduate or professional schools -- 92% of the applicants were accepted by at least one of the institutions to which they applied;
one-fifth of 1990-91's graduates were currently pursuing further education--fewer than reported in the 1988 survey;
sixty-three percent of the graduates not pursuing full-time education secured full-time employment compared to 69% in the 1988 survey (16% of 1990-91 graduates were unemployed vs. 11% of 1988 graduates);
over one-third (38%) of employed UCSC graduates consider their jobs to have career potential--far fewer than reported by 1988 graduates (51%);
almost half (44%) of employed Santa Cruz graduates have secured positions that require college degrees; and
the average salary for fully employed graduates was $16,000 overall, and $20,000 for those who considered their jobs to have career potential or whose jobs required a college degree.

Undergraduate Education at Santa Cruz

Most graduates held favorable views of their undergraduate education at UC Santa Cruz. Specifically, 1990-91 graduates

were satisfied with the academic quality of their undergraduate education at Santa Cruz;
were satisfied with the quality of teaching, the general quality of major courses, and the degree of challenge and rigor in coursework;
placed more importance on and were more satisfied with academic quality and teaching quality than general education or faculty contact;
were less satisfied with most aspects of their education than 1988 graduates; and
reported a need for better advising, greater course availability, more opportunities to work with faculty, and better-prepared teaching assistants. These areas were also identified as needing improvement in the 1988 study.

Intellectual and Personal Development While at Santa Cruz

Graduates expressed satisfaction with their intellectual and personal changes while at the University. The graduates were:

generally satisfied with their intellectual growth at Santa Cruz, having gained skill in critical thinking and reasoning ability, competence in a particular field of study, intellectual curiosity, and interest in new fields;
generally satisfied with their personal development while at Santa Cruz, having developed effective writing and speaking skills, understanding of self and others, and experience and skill relating to other people and other cultures;
satisfied with their preparation in skills and abilities such as working independently, interacting with others, and synthesizing information.

Graduates' satisfaction with their intellectual development was generally lower than in the 1988 study, but no area had a significant decline. Areas of intellectual development showing greater satisfaction since the 1988 survey included understanding of non-western cultures and the development of western culture. Compared to 1988 graduates, 1990-91 graduates were less satisfied with their abilities to learn independently and to set and achieve their goals. They cited the acquisition of specific job skills as an area needing significant improvement.

Discussion and Implications

On the whole, Santa Cruz graduates

appeared to be satisfied with their undergraduate education;
reported that the University played a positive and influential role in their intellectual and personal development;
said the issues that needed the most attention by the University were advising, course availability, and campus growth;
expressed concern that the campus not lose its distinctive character and emphasis on liberal arts and undergraduate education.

This report was prepared by Randy Nelson, Mary Mauro, and Harley Baker. Additional copies may be requested from the Office of Planning and Budget, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064 (408-459-2446). This report was released in Winter, 1994.