Note: Below is Data from the 2003 USP Alumni Survey. For the most recent survey results, please click here.

This report summarizes the findings of the 2003 Alumni Survey. The major goal of the Alumni Survey is to provide the University with information regarding graduates’ professional and personal accomplishments/activities as well as alumni assessments about their academic experiences. Information obtained from the Alumni Survey is disseminated to members of the USP community in support of strategic planning efforts, program reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.

During the Spring of 2003, survey materials were mailed to all alumni graduating three (2000), five (1998), and ten (1993) years ago. A total of 1107 surveys were distributed. Of this total number, 212 surveys were completed and returned for analysis; the response rate was 19%.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Findings from the 2003 Alumni Survey demonstrate that USP alumni are actively pursuing their careers. In line with the results from prior surveys, 92% of USP graduates are working in healthcare and science positions directly related to their major areas of study. Equally significant is the employment outlook for USP graduates. Despite current economic conditions and a national unemployment rate of approximately 6%, none of the graduates responding to the survey is unemployed.

Alumni are also making progress in their careers. In the last two years, slightly more than half have been promoted or changed jobs to an advanced position. In addition, USP graduates have published scientific books and articles, published for general audiences, stood for positions in professional organizations and received awards from professional or civic groups.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

USP graduates recognize the value of continued learning and professional development. Slightly more than half of the graduates report that they regularly attend professional continuing education programs. In addition, approximately 40% have taken a course of some kind and a comparable number have attended professional meetings. Further, about one fifth of USP graduates made the decision to pursue an advanced degree and 10% have already completed their advanced studies.

PERSONAL ACTIVITIES

The 2003 Alumni Survey results highlight the fact that USP graduates are active in the personal and social spheres of their lives as well as progressing in their careers. A majority of alumni report that they “Often” or “Occasionally” participate in all eight of the individual activities listed on the survey. The highest rated activities include: reading a newspaper or magazine (94%), reading a book for enjoyment (84%), and reading a scientific magazine for a general audience (80%). In addition about three-fourths of the alumni have attended concerts and two-thirds have visited museums. While volunteering for a political, social or charitable cause was the lowest ranked activity, it is still worth noting that 54% of USP graduates participated in this form of civic engagement.

SATISFACTION WITH ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES

Alumni do have concerns about and criticisms of USP (See Appendix IV). It is important to emphasize, however, that a majority of alumni are satisfied with their USP educational experiences. In particular, graduates expressed the highest levels of satisfaction with their major program of study (96%), the quality of instruction (86%), and the accessibility of faculty (86%). Approximately 80% of the alumni also report that they were satisfied with their overall academic experience, their overall experience as a student, their academic preparation for their first job, and their Core Curriculum courses. Alumni were least satisfied with the quality of academic advising (56%). Slightly less than half of the most recent graduates indicated that they were “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with the quality of academic advising.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Amajority of alumni feel their USP education was highly effective in helping them achieve seven learning objectives. The two highest rated objectives were directly related to graduates’ major programs. In this regard, most alumni feel their USP education has given them a concentrated, in-depth, and detailed knowledge of one discipline or professional field and prepared them for their present job or career. Approximately 60% of USP graduates rated their education as highly effective in terms of giving them the background needed to make ethical and moral decisions in their personal and professional lives. In addition, alumni appear to recognize the broader impact of a USP education on their lives. A majority of alumni report that their education was highly effective in helping them achieve their personal goals (81%), in providing them with necessary tools for effective communication (74%), in preparing them to become functioning citizens of their communities (68%), and in broadening their intellectual interests (62%).

ACADEMIC PREPARATION

Alumni feel their academic preparation was highly effective in seven of eleven identified knowledge/skill areas. The areas receiving the highest percentage of effectiveness ratings were professional skills in their discipline, general science, critical thinking and problem solving, and the ability to locate and use professional literature. A majority of alumni also indicate that their USP preparation in communication skills, ethical/moral decision-making and mathematical skills was highly effective. Comparison of 1992 and 2003 Alumni Survey findings reveals a substantial, positive shift in effectiveness ratings for understanding myself, communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving and writing skills.

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS

§ Slightly more than half of the alumni feel that USP’s academic reputation is staying the same. About a third feel that the University’s academic reputation is improving.

§ Approximately 70% of alumni would attend USP if they had to do it again and 79% would recommend USP to others. Both results are slightly below the average findings from prior surveys.

§ All survey responses were examined for the influence of selected alumni attributes. Year of graduation, final GPA and major were associated with several distinct response trends.

§ About a third of those responding to the survey addressed the question, “What do you think USP is doing well?” A majority of the comments dealt with positive teaching and learning experiences, improvement in University facilities, and diversification of courses and majors. A complete listing of these comments is presented in Appendix III.

§ Close to 40% of those participating in the survey answered the second open-ended question, “What do you think USP needs to do to improve?” The major content areas reflected concerns about the College of Pharmacy, student life, and facilities. A complete listing of comments appears in Appendix IV.