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DSU Graduates Rank High in Recent Employer Survey

Madison, SD--Each year, employers rate DSU graduates in three areas: computer skills, communication skills, and job-related skills.  According to the 2000 Dakota State University Employer Survey, graduates were rated highest in their ability to use computer software, adapt to changes in the computing environment, and their ability to learn on the job.  Ninety-eight percent of the graduates were rated “very good” or “good” in their ability to use computer software.

Dakota State University Assessment Specialist Carrie Ahern says those numbers are incredible. “The numbers show that our graduates are using the computer technology that they learned here,” says Ahern.

In addition, the majority of DSU graduates required less additional training in computer skills. Eighty-six percent of the graduates were rated “very good” or “good” in their ability to appreciate the cultural and ethnic differences among people.

DSU graduates also showed increases in several other areas of the assessment survey.

·       94 percent of employers rated DSU graduates “very good” or “good” in their ability to adapt to changes in the computing environment, up seven percentage points.

·       87 percent of employers rated DSU graduates “very good” or “good” in their overall computer knowledge, up four percentage points.

·       85 percent of employers rated DSU graduates “very good” or “good” in their ability to solve work-related problems, up six percentage points.

·       84 percent of employers rated DSU graduates “very good” or “good” in their ability to find, evaluate and apply information, up four percentage points.

DSU graduates were also rated on written communication skills, oral communication skills, the ability to learn on the job, knowledge of the academic area as it relates to his or her position and interpersonal skills. All areas showed increases in employer satisfaction.

“This survey solidifies what DSU has said all along.  Our graduates are prepared to enter the work force immediately,” said Dr. Jerald Tunheim, president of DSU.

For more information about the assessment survey check the assessment office website at “http://www.departments.dsu.edu./assessment"