Employers give high ratings to DSU graduates

According to recent survey data, based on average ratings, the year 2000 Dakota State University graduates were rated highest in their ability to learn on the job and their ability to use computer software. Graduates were also rated very high in their ability to use information ethically and to adapt to changes in the computing environment. The average rating in each of these areas was 4.4 or higher on a scale of 1-5. Oral communication skills were rated lower with an average rating of 3.9. The rating scale ranges from 5-very good to 1-very poor.

“Employers consistently give DSU graduates superior ratings on their computer skills,” said DSU assessment specialist Carrie Ahern. “Our graduates are rated highest on their ability to learn on the job and their ability to adapt to changes in the computing environment.”

DSU graduates require less training than other graduates, particularly in the computer skills area. Over 75 percent of the employers indicated that the graduates required “less than usual” or “significantly less than usual” training in computer skills. “This provides evidence that the students have excellent computer skills when they graduate and also have the ability to master new technology on the job,” added Ahern.

The DSU Employer Survey has been used since 1993 to survey employers of the previous year’s graduates. The employers rate the DSU graduates in three areas: computer skills, communication/socialization skills and job-related skills.

This information will be used as one method of determining if the goals and outcomes of DSU’s general education and major field assessment plans are being met. For example, one of the general education goals deals with the students’ ability to use information effectively. One criteria used to measure achievement of this goal is to ask employers to rate DSU graduates on their ability to find, evaluate, and apply information. For the past three years, employers have rated 80-84 percent of the graduates as “very good” or “good” in this area. This information suggests that DSU is above its goal of 70 percent.

DSU Graduates also rated DSU and its academic programs high. The DSU Graduate Survey is used to assess graduates’ satisfaction with their abilities and to provide feedback on the University’s programs. The majority of DSU’s graduates rated the university’s academic programs above average.

Graduates also indicated that DSU did a good job preparing them for their career. Graduates were most satisfied with their ability to use computer software and their ability to learn on the job. Computer use and satisfaction with computer abilities have increased dramatically over the last 6 years. For example, 93 percent f the 2000 graduates were satisfied with their ability to use computer software compared to 79 percent of the1994 graduates; 86 percent of the 2000 grads compared to 43 percent of the 94 grads were satisfied with their ability to use computers for research.