First Destination Survey

Undergraduate Career Outcomes: 2022-2023

Undergraduate Career Outcomes (or First Destination Survey) provides insight into the various career paths students take upon graduation. Survey data are used to measure the effectiveness of programs, identify employment opportunities of SDSU graduates, and improve academic programs. Survey results also help identify career expectations and opportunities for prospective and current undergraduate students. Undergraduate Career Outcomes supports the SDSU mission by collecting student outcome data to ensure students received a rich academic experience that supports their personal and professional paths.

Methods

The survey was designed following recommendations from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

The survey sections included:

• Student information
• Post-graduate plans
• Employment information
• Volunteer/Service information
• Military information

The survey was sent electronically to undergraduates applying for graduation four weeks prior to commencement. Students receive two reminders and departments encourage students to participate in the survey. After the survey closes, Departments are asked if they have any additional information on the career outcomes of their graduates who did not participate in the survey.

Reporting Changes

The 2022-2023 report uses Undergraduate Career Outcomes whereas in previous years the term was First Destination. 

Terminology

This report uses Knowledge rate and career outcome rate as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

• Knowledge Rate the percent of graduates for which the institution has reasonable and verifiable information concerning the graduates’ postgraduation career activities (or knowledge). The rate is expressed as: (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education + #still seeking employment & continuing education + #not seeking) / (total graduates). The sample size is noted by “n”.
• Career Outcomes Rate is expressed as: (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education) / (#employed + #service + #military + #continuing education + #still seeking employment & continuing education).

Knowledge Rate
The survey was sent to 264 summer 2022, 461 fall 2022, and 1,121 spring 2023 undergraduates who applied for graduation. Of these, 362 students completed the survey (19.6% response rate) and Departments provided feedback on an additional 591 (32.0%) graduates for a combined knowledge rate of 51.6% (n=953).