Every year, the IUP Career and Professional Development Center collects information about the post-graduation activities and statuses of that year's graduating class. For the best knowledge rate, we administered an online survey and conducted internet searches to find and verify additional data.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers defines the knowledge rate as the percent of graduates for whom the institution has reliable and verifiable information regarding graduates' post-graduation statuses. This report includes survey response results as well as knowledge-rate data.
Demonstrating the first-destination success of our graduates is worthwhile. Colleges and universities are scrutinized for the return on investment they provide to students, because of economic challenges and inflation in the US, the cost of higher education, and the demands families/consumers face to meet these costs. The pandemic made it decidedly more necessary to remain abreast of trends in workforce development to provide programs and services that contribute to IUP's mission and efforts in academic support, student retention and persistence, enrollment management, and return on educational investment.
It's important to note that we cannot easily measure the total positive effects of a college education, just as indicators of success are not employment and earnings alone. Certainly, as the NACE First-Destination Survey Standards and Protocols document states, "The most significant and substantive outcomes occur over the lifetime of the individual graduate."
Respectfully,
Tammy Manko, EdD
Director
Highlights for the Class of 2021 (all degree levels)
2,342 Total Recent Graduates
(IUP had accurate contact information for 2,310)
2,310 Recent Graduates Surveyed
19 percent Survey Response Rate
(440 graduates responded to the survey)
30 percent Total Knowledge Rate
(697 graduates for whom we have reasonable, verifiable data)
86 percent of Graduates for Whom Data was Collected Are Productive
(602 recent graduates for whom data was gathered)
Of Survey Respondents...
78 percent Are Employed in Field of Choice
(345 graduates/survey respondents)
88 percent are Productive
(149 graduates/survey respondents)
Definitions
Class of 2021
August 2020, December 2020, and May 2021 graduates
Productive
The percentage of graduates falling into any of the following categories:
- employed full-time or part-time
- pursuing additional education full-time or part-time
- serving in the military or other service organization
- not seeking employment or additional education
Total Knowledge Rate
The percentage of graduates for whom we have reasonable and verifiable information regarding post-graduation statuses.
To advance the success of IUP graduates, the CPDC provides multiple opportunities for students and alumni to engage in career education and professional development programs and activities, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Mock interviews
- Etiquette dinners
- Presentations/workshops
- Career coaching
- Résumé reviews
- Cover letter reviews
- Internship/job search assistance
- Graduate school preparation
- Networking events
- Service learning/community service
- Career/job and internship fairs
- On-campus interviews/ recruitment
- Career and major exploration
- National Student Exchange
- The Washington Center
- Disney College Program
Select Employers Hiring IUP Graduates
(not a comprehensive list)
- 1st Summit Bank
- ADP, Inc.*
- Allegheny Health Network
- Amazon*
- BDO USA*
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania*
- Dedicated Nursing Associates*
- DHL Supply Chain*
- Enterprise Holdings*
- Excela Health*
- First Commonwealth Bank*
- GEICO
- Geisinger*
- Giant Eagle, Inc.
- Highmark Health*
- Indiana Regional Medical Center
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- KPMG
- Naval Supply Systems Command*
- Pittsburgh Public Schools
- PNC*
- PPG*
- PSECU
- Quest Diagnostics
- S&T Bank*
- Sheetz*
- Sherwin-Williams Company*
- Tesla
- The Andy Warhol Museum
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center*
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- URBN
- Walt Disney World
- Wayfair
- WellSpan Health
*Indicates employers who participated in on-campus recruitment or consortium job fairs.
For graduates who reported salary information (138) the average annual income was $50,372.
While some degrees are clearly in higher demand in the workforce, IUP students are provided opportunities for learning about the value of and how to leverage transferable skills and soft skills to complement their classroom experience. Ultimately, the students who master these lessons will be most effective in the workplace. According to current research, employers seek these skills in employees:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Collaboration across networks and teamwork
- Leadership with ability to influence others, sell
- Technical knowledge related to job
- Agility and adaptability; ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
- Initiative, entrepreneurialism, work ethic, professionalism
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Proficiency with computer software programs
- Accessing and analyzing information
- Curiosity and imagination
The Graduate First-Destination Outcomes Report for the Class of 2021 was prepared by members of the Career and Professional Development Center team.
- Audrey Patterson
- Bill Zimmerman
- Sheila Gardner
- Tammy Manko
- Career Development Advocates (undergraduate student employees)
Archived Graduate First-Destination Outcomes Report