Document Type

Report

Publication Date

11-1-1995

Keywords

1994, Follow-up, 1985, Freshmen, demographics, stisfaction, job, skills. Degree, abilities, activities, political, orientation, beliefs

Abstract

Executive Summary: In 1994, first-time in-coming frosh who entered Western Washington University in 1985 were resurveyed. Survey administered were able to contact and receive completed survey forms from 85 of the original1180 frosh who filled out a CIRP (frosh) survey at Western in 1985. Though the number of participants nine years later was small compared to the original sample, it was also fairly representative. The gender ratio between the two years was nearly identical, as was ethnicity. Most of the class of 1985 had partners in 1994 (74.1%), though only half reported being married (50.2%). A majority had not had children (83.1%), and most were employed full-time or part-time by choice (93.0%). Most survey respondents (81.7%) indicated they would definitely or probably would reenroll at Western. Over three-quarters of the class of 1985 were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs overall, though males and females were not always in agreement as to their level of satisfaction with various aspects of their jobs. Females from the class of 1985, for instance, were more likely to be satisfied with job security, working conditions, and child care services, while males were more likely to be satisfied with the opportunity for training/schooling, the competency of coworkers, and income. Males from the class of 1985 had higher (current) incomes than females (72.2% of males were earning between $20-50 thousand dollars; 73.4% of females were earning $15-40 thousand dollars). Survey respondents worked mostly in the business field (30.7%) or in education (10.1%). Most felt their undergraduate majors were either closely or somewhat related to their job. Very few indicated that their undergraduate majors were not related to their jobs. Most of the class of 1985 indicated that Western had prepared them very well or well for their current or most recent job. Very few felt that Western had not prepared them well for their current or most recent job. Survey respondents were asked which work skills they considered to be essential or very important. The highest percentages were noted for interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and ability to work cooperatively. The importance of cooperativeness and its counterpoint, the ability to work independently, were characteristics that employers, too, rated highly. In a 1991 OIAT survey, employee characteristics considered by employers to be most important included the ability to cooperate with others, as well as the ability to work well independently without supervision.

Identifier

376

Publisher

Digital object produced by Office of Survey Research, Western Washington University, and made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

College students--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Statistics; College freshmen--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Statistics; College graduates--Washington (State)--Statistics

Title of Series

Technical and research reports (Western Washington University. Office of Institutional Assessment and Testing) ; 1995-06

Genre/Form

Reports

Type

Text

Rights

This resource is provided for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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