Survey of DCCCD Graduates/Completers

The Sample

A total of 1,330 surveys were mailed to graduates and certificate completers of DCCCD colleges on July 21, 2004.  A total of 175 usable surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 13.2%.  A total of 2,717 graduates and certificate completers were e-mailed a link to an on-line version of the survey.  Those with invalid e-mail addresses were mailed a paper survey.  Of those with valid e-mail addresses, 347 usable replies were provided, yielding a response rate of 16%.  The total sample included 523 graduates or certificate completers, yielding an overall weighted response rate of 15%. See appendix one for a copy of the survey (in pdf format).  Participants were asked to identify the college from which they received their degree or certificate.  The following tables show how the sample breaks down by college and degree/certificate.
 

Attainment:
Degree	341  (68%)
Certificate	68  (13%)
Both	98  (19%)

Graduated from:		Graduated from:
Brookhaven	68	75
Cedar Valley	46	45
Eastfield	73	62
El Centro	61	38
Mountain View	83	49
North Lake	66	69
Richland	135	82

Note: some individuals graduated from more than one college.

Major areas of study:

When asked about their major field of study (or certification field), most individuals listed their associates degree (in sciences or arts), while relatively few identified specific disciplines. The most commonly listed majors related to the business or computer disciplines. The following unique majors were named:
 

Accounting Accounting Clerk ACUT ADN - Nursing Advanced CADD Air Conditioning Residential Applied Arts & Science Applied Science Applied Science - Nursing Arts Arts & Sciences Auto Body Automotive Technology Aviation Tech - Pilot Option Aviation Tech - Aircraft Dispatch BA Biology Business Business Administration Business CIS Business Computer Programming Business Marketing Business Software Programmer CAD/Intergrated Circuit Design CADD CADD Operator/Advanced Op. CCNA Certified LAN Operator Child Development Child Development/Teacher Prep CIS CISCO CCNA CIT CIT - Networking Support CIT (Software Developer) CIT Network Administration Communication Computer Aided Design & Drafting Computer Aided Drafting Computer Information Systems Computer Networking Computer Office Technology Computer Programming Computer Science Construction Management & Tech Construction technology Criminal Justice Culinary Arts/Basic Culinary Skills Diagnostic Medical Sonography Digital Imaging DMJ Early Child Development Early Childhood education E-commerce Education Educational Assistant Educational Personnel Electric Telecommunications Electrical Technology Electronics Elementary Education Engineering Technology English Executive/Administrative Assistant Fashion Design Fine Arts General General Clerk General Science General Transfer Graphic Arts Graphic Design Health Information Management Health Occupations Heating, Air Conditioning History Horticulture Hospitality Management

HVAC AAS Import and Export Information Technology Interior Design International Business International Business and Trade Internet Communications Internet Publishing Invasive Cardiovascular Tech IT Networking Support Cert. Journalism LAN Administration Landscape Management Liberal Arts Liberal Science Licensed Voc. Nursing Local Area Network (computer) LPN LVN Management Math MCP certification Med Lab Technology Medical Assistant Medical Staff Services Medical Transcription Microsoft Specialist Multimedia Multimedia Developer Multimedia Visual Design Multimedia Web Design Music Network Administration Network Communications Network+ Networking Nursing Office Office Assistant Office Technology PA Paralegal Paralegal Studies Pastry (food service) Patient Care Technician Pattern Design PC Support PC Upgrade & Repair Certificate Personal Computer Personal Computer Support Photography Programmer/Developer for Bus. Psychology Radiologic Sciences Radiology/Health Science Real Estate Recording Registered Nurse Respiratory Care Science Science/EMT Science/Paramedic Semiconductor Mfg. Technician Sign Language Interpretation Social Work & Substance Abuse Counseling Software Applications Specialist Software Development Substance Abuse Counseling Supervision Surgical Technologist Teacher's Aide Certificate Telecommunication UNIX Systems Administration Veterinary Technology Video Technology Visual Communications Web Design

Transfer plans since graduating from the DCCCD:

No such plans	38    (8%)
No but plan to ...
... in Fall 2004	43    (9%)
... in Spring 2005	22    (5%)
... at a later date	99  (20%)
Yes, enrolled at a ...
public university	164  (33%)
a private university	54  (11%)
a DCCCD college	64  (13%)
some other school	11    (2%)

Note: some individuals have enrolled in more than one class of institution.

Those who have enrolled in a college or university since graduation did so:

Spring 2002	2    (1%)
Summer 2002	6    (2%)
Fall 2002	74  (27%)
Spring 2003	46  (16%)
Summer 2003	7    (3%)
Fall 2003	81  (30%)
Spring 2004	36  (13%)
Summer 2004	19    (7%)
Fall 2004	4   (1%)

Colleges and universities in which graduates/completers enrolled:

Most respondents provided the name of the institution in which they enrolled. Some have enrolled in two colleges since completing studies at the DCCCD. The following is a list of colleges and universities attended by respondents:
  

AIU Alamance Comm. College, NC Amberton University American Intercontinental University Baylor College of Dentistry Bellevue University Brigham Young University Brookhaven College Capella University Cedar Valley College Collin County Community College Concord University School of Law Cuesta College Dallas Baptist University Dallas Telecollege DeVry Eastfield College El Centro College Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Fox Valley College Governors State University Iowa State Unviersity Lady of the Lake LeTourneau University Liberty University Loma Linda University Mountain View College North Lake College Northwood University Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX

Parker College Paul Quinn College Richland College Sam Houston State University Southern Methodist University Southwest Texas State University Tarrant County Community College Texas A&M University - Commerce Texas A&M University- College Station Texas Christian University Texas State Technical College Texas State University Texas Tech University Texas Wesleyan University Texas Woman's Universitiy Texas Woman's University College of Nursing The University of Oklahoma The University of Texas at Arlington Univeristy of Texas at Dallas University of Bonn, Germany University of Dallas in Texas University of New Mexico University of North Texas University of Phoenix University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Austin UNK UT Southwest Med Ctr Weatherford College Webster University

Graduates indicated a remarkable level of satisfaction with the skills they acquired while attending the DCCCD. Average scores (where 1 reflects "very dissatisfied" and 5 reflects "very satisfied"):
 

Reading	4.25
Writing	4.20
Math	4.06
Problem solving	4.09
Computer	4.18
Overall	4.35

Skills not addressed adequately:

Respondents were given the opportunity to list any skills not adequately addressed in their programs. These verbatim comments are provided in Appendix 2. Contact Edward Hummingbird for the text file containing these comments.

Examples of comments (provided verbatim):

• More math skills, research skills for writing papers, study skills..
• It needs to emphasize the core subjects to be taken just in case you decided to continue your education to a higher institution.
• More advanced computer software skills. I took computer 1470 and it was an introductory course but I in the real work force one needs advanced PC skills to be marketable and competitive.
• Needs more in depth phlebotomy skills training.

Present status:
Employed full-time - 286 (58%)
Employed part-time - 91 (19%)
Unemployed and seeking employment - 61 (12%)
Unemployed and not seeking employment - 52 (11%)

Employment relatedness to degree/certificate:
Job closely related to degree/certificate - 226 (48%)
Job not related (or remotely related) - 247 (52%)
… did not change jobs - 103 (42%)
… better paying job in another field - 13 (5%)
… did not seek job in related field - 35 (14%)
… could not find job in related field - 53 (821%)
… am not yet sufficiently qualified - 74 (30%)
 

Individuals were asked to share their thoughts regarding "your experience as a DCCCD student or employment/additional education as it relates to your DCCCD educational preparation." Many respondents provided very candid and often detailed responses. Most responses were positive and focused on the overall educational experience, faculty and instruction, and occupational outcomes. Almost all negative comments focused on instruction/pedagogy. A complete listing of comments is provided in appendix three, which is available by contacting Edward Hummingbird. The following are examples of responses (provided verbatim):

• As a student at DCCCD, I enjoyed all the helpfulness of the professors and the staff.
• Employment in a specific field is difficult to find without a four year degree.  However, the jobs that I did qualify for never responded. My suggestion to DCCCD is to establish more relationships with employers in all fields to offer some experience along with the degree.
• First of all, I made a mistake but could not go "back" to make a correction, but after I graduated I was able to obtain a job in a career related to my major. My degree helped significantly and it still does. I really enjoyed the flexibility at DCCCD and I would recommend to all if they are a working student/parent. Thanks to all at DCCCD!
• I can see where DCCCD needs to catch up with the times as far as online services.  Such as online advising, online degrees, online financial aide etc.
• I have a suggestion regarding the math curriculum.  While at Richland, I took DMAT 097, 098, 099 and college algebra.  After completing my associates degree work, I transferred to SMU. Upon entering SMU, I discovered that I was not prepared to enter calculus.  I took a precalculus class.  In this class, we were expected to already know the basics of trigonometry.  In all the math classes I had, the concepts of trig were never once mentioned.  After talking to several other transfer students from Richland, this seemed to be the case as well.  If possible, you might want to incorporate some of the basic trig concepts into college algebra or have a class on trig itself.  I struggled through my pre-cal class at SMU because I wasn't at their expected level.  On a positive note, everything else that we covered in my pre-cal class at SMU was covered in my college algebra class at Richland.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts.

Internal Reports & Summaries