California State University San Marcos
Fall 2011 Alumni Survey
Institutional Planning and Analysis, in cooperation with the Career Center and the Development Office,
developed an electronic survey that was sent to alumni who graduated from California State University San
Marcos prior to Fall 2006. The same survey has been sent annually to students who graduated three years earlier
and to our most recent graduates. This fall we sent surveys to 3,649 2007-08 and 2010-11 graduates; 318 were
returned yielding a responses rate of just 8.7%.1
As has been the case in previous years, most of the respondents are recent graduates; consequently, this
report will focus primarily on the responses of 2010-11 graduates and look at differences by survey year, highest
degree earned at CSUSM and level of involvement in campus activities while attending CSUSM. This report is a
brief summary of the survey findings and focuses on three areas: involvement with the university since
graduation, employment and educational activities since graduation, and views of the usefulness of the
curriculum at CSUSM. 2 Following this summary, in Appendix A, are more detailed findings showing responses
of recent graduates since the survey began.
Approximately 90% respondents earned their Bachelor’s degree from CSUSM and 8% earned more than
one degree from our campus. The most common major among respondents was in a Social Sciences discipline
followed by Business.
As in previous surveys, nearly all respondents say they are proud to be a Cal State San Marcos graduate
and nearly three-quarters say that their years at CSUSM were some of the best of their lives—although this
percentage has been declining steadily over the years. Furthermore, fewer than half say they have strong ties to
the university and 41% have had no involvement since graduation. One respondent put it this way:3
I really enjoyed my time at CSUSM. I would be more involved with the alumni association if I lived
closer. I wish there was some way to better connect with my school from long distance! (2011 Sociology
major)
Students who were involved in the university as students are much more likely to report at least occasional
involvement with the campus (58% vs. 46%) and to feel connected to the university. Much like last year, twothirds of respondents say they have recommended the university to others but far fewer say they have connected
with the university in other ways, such as visiting the campus or attending events.
The percentage of recent graduates who are employed increased dramatically from previous years with
65% of respondents saying they are working full time and 27% working part-time. However, 41% of recent
graduates said their first job after graduating was a position they held before graduation and 25% say their
1
A special thanks to Alumni Services for providing the email addresses of our alumni.
2
For additional results from the survey, including detailed comparisons of early and most recent graduates, contact Pat Morris in IPA at
pmorris@csusm.edu.
The last question in the Fall 2011 Alumni Survey invited respondents to make additional comments about their “experience at CSUSM
and the utility of the undergraduate education you received”; 100 respondents took advantage of this opportunity.
3
current job in not in line with their career goals. Many of respondents’ comments showed frustration with the job
market and with the support they received from the
university:
Degrees are the new high school diploma. I have
student loans to pay now and have the same job.
(2011 VPA major)
Employment Status by Survey Year
80%
70%
Full- me
60%
Part- me
I loved CSUSM & I would consider returning for
graduate school, but with the current job market the
way it is, I cannot find work in my field so my degree
is nothing more that a giant debt to me. More
information regarding minors or double majors
might have changed my educational plans & I might
be more hire-able now. (2008 Psychology major)
50%
Not employed
40%
Con nued in a
posi on held before
gradua on
30%
20%
10%
0%
2005-06
Although most respondents stay in San Diego County,
2006 - 07
2007 - 08
2008 - 09
2009 - 10
2010 - 11
the percentage of respondents who are working in North San Diego County increased slightly this year and the
percentage working in the city of San Diego and out of our local service area declined. Two-thirds of recent
Bachelor degree recipients earn no more than $40,000/year and 29% say they earn $20,000/year or less—
compared to last year when 35% said they earned $20,000
Loca on of Employer by Gradua on Year
or less. Among respondents earning a credential, 62% earn
no more than $20,000 per year; however, 40% say they are
80%
70%
working part-time. One respondent expressed it this way:
North San
Diego
County
60%
I believe that I received an excellent preparation to
San Diego
50%
become a teacher in our public schools and am eagerly
SWRC
40%
awaiting an opportunity to apply for an open position
Out of
service
area
30%
in one of the local public school districts. Meanwhile, I
20%
am continuing part time employment as a substitute in
10%
the district where I was similarly employed before
0%
earning my credential at CSUSM. (2011 Credential
2005-2006
2006 - 2007
2007 - 2008
2008-2009
2009 - 2010
2010 - 2011
student)
Nearly half (45%) of respondents who graduated recently plan to attend graduate school. In addition, this year’s
respondents are more likely than last years’ to say they are planning to enroll in graduate school within the next
two years.
Respondents continue to be very positive about the utility of the skills they gained from their coursework
at CSUSM. The majority said their writing, critical thinking and speaking skills, as well as their ability to work
as part of a team, were enhanced by their education. As one respondent commented:
The writing requirement and team projects were an integral part and have really made a difference in my life
today. CSUSM was always on the cutting edge of technology and encouraged thinking differently.
In many ways these survey results reflect the current economic times and the budget cuts that have been
a reality in recent years. Many of the comments reflected respondents’ frustration with the cost of their education
and their difficulty finding employment. Overall, recent graduates seem less happy with their college experience
than in previous years and fewer than ever say they feel connected with the university.
Appendix A. Longitudinal Results
Table 1. Degree Earned and Major/Area of Interest by Graduation Year
Degree earned
Degree(s) earned from CSUSM
Bachelor's degree only
Master's degree only
Credential only
Multiple degrees
2005-2006
61.5
3.5
10.5
24.5
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
64.0
6.5
8.5
21.0
75.0
1.9
2.8
20.4
82.8
1.0
5.5
10.7
84.2
4.6
2.3
8.9
81.6
5.8
4.8
7.7
Bachelor's & Master's degrees
0.7
3.0
5.6
2.1
0.5
Bachelor's degree & Credential
21.7
17.0
13.9
7.6
7.1
Master's degree & Credential
0.7
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.0
Bachelor's, Master's & Credential
1.4
0.5
0.9
0.7
1.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Total
(No. of respondents)
1.0
4.3
1.4
1.0
100.0
(143)
(200)
(108)
(290)
(392)
(207)
62.1
74.4
76.5
84.8
90.6
82.7
27.6
8.6
19.8
3.4
2.6
-34.5
17.1
7.9
32.3
7.9
9.1
-20.1
12.9
7.6
29.5
10.6
15.9
-15.2
15.2
14.2
30.9
7.8
9.6
7.1
11.0
19.6
8.6
37.8
12.4
6.1
6.1
7.5
17.8
7.4
33.7
12.4
6.9
4.5
9.4
3.4
5.5
8.3
4.3
1.9
8.0
Degree Field of Highest Degree Earned at CSUSM
Bachelor's degree
Business
Humanities
Social sciences
Natural sciences & Math
Liberal studies
Nursing
Credential
Master's degree
Business
Education
Humanities
Social sciences
Natural sciences & math
(No. of respondents)
1.7
0.9
0.9
0.0
0.0
(116)
0.6
0.6
1.2
1.8
1.2
(164)
0.8
1.5
1.5
3.0
1.5
(132)
0.0
1.4
1.1
1.8
0.0
(282)
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.8
0.8
(362)
3.5
1.5
1.0
0.0
2.0
(202)
Table 2. Involvement in Selected Campus Activities While Attending CSUSM by Graduation Year
Characteristic
2005-2006
Student organizations
Greek organizations
ASI
Athletics
None
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
29.3
5.4
4.1
1.4
44.2
27.2
5.9
7.4
7.4
45.5
31.5
10.2
2.8
3.7
55.6
27.9
6.2
2.8
1.4
53.4
31.2
7.1
7.7
6.2
59.3
9.5
5.3
27.8
3.6
50.9
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(337)
(169)
Table 3. Respondents' Involvement with CSUSM Since Graduation by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
Percentage of Respondents who Agree
with selected statements about CSUSM:
Proud to be a CSUSM grad
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
I think of myself as a part of a CSUSM community
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
Years at CSUSM were best of my life
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
I still have strong ties to CSUSM
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
I still have strong ties to my academic program
department
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
Level of involvement with CSUSM since graduation
Very Involved
Not involved
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
90.4
95.5
98.1
95.1
96.3
93.3
(146)
(225)
(104)
(267)
(378)
(194)
56.5
63.8
73.4
68.8
68.3
60.7
(147)
(196)
(94)
(253)
(353)
(191)
66.0
69.0
86.9
77.6
74.0
72.1
(144)
(197)
(84)
(246)
(338)
(179)
39.6
57.3
73.8
61.6
56.9
46.7
(144)
(199)
(103)
(255)
(353)
(195)
37.7
50.3
72.8
61.4
58.8
44.8
(146)
(199)
(103
(264)
(357)
(194)
3.8
69.2
8.8
59.6
---
4.7
39.1
7.3
39.6
6.6
40.8
(133)
(193)
(276)
(386)
(211)
Table 4. Percentage of Respondents Who Have Participated in Selected Activities During the Past Year by Graduation Year
Activity
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
Recommended CSUSM to a prospective student
66.7
69.3
75.0
59.0
63.9
65.9
Returned to campus to visit with faculty or staff
36.7
32.2
37.0
48.6
53.4
29.4
Took one or more courses through CSUSM's
Extended Learning Program
7.5
6.9
2.8
34.1
27.0
3.3
Attended one or more CSUSM athletic events
0.7
5.9
2.8
11.7
17.0
9.0
Participated in activities sponsored by the
Alumni Association
4.1
8.4
8.3
29.3
33.8
6.2
Made use of the Career Center
21.8
22.3
21.3
44.1
40.7
10.0
Made a gift to CSUSM
2.7
1.0
0.0
6.6
7.4
9.5
Attended one or more events included in the
CSUSM Arts and Lecture Series
10.2
14.9
21.3
33.4
32.8
11.8
Read articles about activities at CSUSM and/or
plans for future expansion of the campus
46.9
51.5
54.6
33.8
35.1
37.4
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(393)
(211)
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
Table 5. Percentage of Respondents Who Are Interested in Selected CSUSM Activities by Graduation Year
Activity
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
Recommending CSUSM to a prospective student
60.5
50.5
75.9
64.1
65.4
55.9
Reading articles about activities at CSUSM and/or
plans for future expansion of the campus
42.2
35.1
47.2
42.4
38.4
43.6
Using the Career Center
29.9
32.7
41.7
15.9
18.8
26.1
Attending one or more events included in the
CSUSM Arts and Lecture Series
39.5
37.1
32.4
16.9
12.7
28.0
Attending one or more CSUSM athletic events
12.2
17.8
13.9
3.4
6.6
20.9
Participaing in Alumni association activities
29.3
27.2
28.7
5.2
4.3
29.4
Contributing to CSUSM
15.6
12.4
7.4
4.5
2.3
9.5
Taking Extended Learning courses
35.4
30.2
31.5
3.8
3.3
21.8
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(393)
(211)
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
Table 6. Percentage of Respondents' Using Various Sources of Information About CSUSM
Information Source
University Website
Friends
Mail
Monthly e-newsletter
College faculty and staff
Alumni Website
Local media
Degree program faculty and staff
Blueprints/Steps magazine
Career Center
Extended Learning Catalog
(No. of respondents)
Respondent visits CSUSM website
Yes, at least:
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Never
Total
(No. of respondents)
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
40.8
24.4
40.5
32.2
15.4
27.7
-5.5
23.0
1.7
9.0
55.9
35.1
46.0
23.3
16.8
19.8
-10.4
11.4
2.5
3.0
69.4
35.2
42.6
25.9
29.6
18.5
12.0
13.0
10.2
1.9
2.8
60.0
36.2
34.5
24.5
20.0
12.8
13.4
9.7
6.2
2.8
2.1
61.6
39.2
32.3
25.2
17.6
12.5
12.5
6.4
5.6
3.3
2.5
55.5
36.5
35.1
20.9
13.3
12.8
13.7
5.7
6.6
1.9
0.5
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(393)
(211)
41.1
37.6
88.9
79.2
72.4
68.7
0.7
7.8
32.6
0.5
5.2
32.0
26.2
23.4
39.3
14.6
30.0
34.6
10.6
20.2
41.6
12.5
17.3
38.9
58.9
100.0
62.4
100.0
11.2
100.0
20.7
100.0
27.6
100.0
31.3
100.0
(141)
(194)
(107)
(280)
(387)
(208)
Note: Respondents could select more than one source of information
Table 7. Respondents' Current Employment Status by Graduation Year
2005-2006
Current Employment Status
Employed
86.3
Full-time
Part-time
84.2
61.9
24.5
Not employed
13.7
Seeking employment
Not seeking employment
(No. of respondents)
74.0
61.1
23.2
14.9
8.6
5.0
Total
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
73.3
50.0
24.0
26.0
8.1
75.9
39.4
33.9
26.7
16.0
10.0
91.9
46.8
29.1
24.1
16.1
10.6
65.0
26.9
8.1
15.8
8.3
5.6
2.5
100.0
6.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(139)
(221)
(100)
(254)
(361)
(160)
Note : Graduates from 2005 and later have all been out of school less than one year.
Table 8. How Soon Respondent Accepted First Position After Graduation by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 2008 - 2009 200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
Continued in a position held before graduation
48.8
29.7
41.2
40.2
36.8
40.7
Accepted first position:
Before graduation
Within 90 days after graduation
Within six months after graduation
More than six months after graduation
Total
2.3
11.6
20.9
16.3
100.0
22.1
26.2
15.7
6.4
100.0
18.8
26.2
12.5
1.2
100.0
15.9
24.9
13.2
5.8
100.0
13.4
26.1
16.5
7.2
100.0
13.6
23.7
22.0
0.0
100.0
(43)
(172)
(80)
(189)
(291)
(166)
(No. of responses)
Table 9. Location of Current Employer by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
2008-2009
200 9 - 2010 2010 - 2011
San Diego
23.0
21.9
16.1
23.5
33.2
30.6
North San Diego County
Other SD County
SWRC
Other So. CA
Other CA
Other state
Foreign country
Total
39.3
6.6
11.5
5.7
3.3
9.8
0.8
100.0
43.3
6.4
7.5
10.7
1.6
7.0
1.8
100.0
64.5
3.2
6.5
-9.7
0.0
0.0
100.0
43.1
12.4
8.5
5.2
0.7
5.2
1.3
100.0
31.5
5.1
6.8
9.4
4.3
8.5
1.3
100.0
34.7
3.2
8.1
12.9
1.6
6.5
2.4
100.0
(122)
(152)
(62)
(153)
(235)
(124)
(No. of responses)
Table 10. Respondents' Annual Salary by Graduation Year and Highest Degree Earned at CSUSM
Highest Degree Earned
Graduation Year
2006-2007
$20,000 or less
$21,000 - $40,000
$41,000 - $60,000
More than $60,000
Total
All
Bachelor's
Credential
Master's
Respondents
25.5
43.1
17.6
13.7
17.5
37.5
37.5
7.5
5.3
10.5
5.3
78.9
21.1
37.9
21.1
19.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(No. of responses)
(102)
(40)
(19)
(161)
2007-2008
$20,000 or less
$21,000 - $40,000
$41,000 - $60,000
More than $60,000
36.4
32.8
23.7
7.3
33.0
22.2
44.4
0.0
12.5
25.0
50.0
12.5
33.3
30.6
29.2
7.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(No. of responses)
(55)
(8)
(8)
(72)
2008-2009
$20,000 or less
$21,000 - $40,000
$41,000 - $60,000
More than $60,000
44.0
32.0
19.3
4.7
26.3
26.3
36.8
10.5
30.0
20.0
30.0
20.0
41.3
30.7
21.8
6.1
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(No. of responses)
(150)
(19)
(10)
(179)
2009-2010
$20,000 or less
$21,000 - $40,000
$41,000 - $60,000
More than $60,000
34.6
39.0
14.5
11.8
52.2
30.4
17.4
0.0
10.0
5.0
30.0
55.0
34.3
35.8
15.9
14.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(No. of responses)
(228)
(20)
(23)
(271)
2010-2011
$20,000 or less
$21,000 - $40,000
$41,000 - $60,000
More than $60,000
28.7
39.8
16.7
14.8
61.5
15.4
23.1
0.0
0.0
20.0
20.0
60.0
28.7
35.3
17.6
18.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(108)
(13)
(15)
(136)
Total
(No. of responses)
2009-10: 42% of Credential gradautes are working part-time
20010-11: 40% of Credental graduates are working part-time.
Table 11. Degree to Which Current Position is in Line With Respondents' Current Career Goals by Graduation Year
2005-2006
Yes
Possibly
No
Total
(No. of responses)
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
66.7
22.0
11.4
100.0
59.9
18.6
21.5
100.0
48.6
28.4
23.0
100.0
39.5
23.8
36.8
100.0
43.7
28.5
27.8
100.0
37.8
37.8
24.5
100.0
(123)
(172)
(74)
(185)
(270)
(143)
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
Table 12. Methods Respondents Used to Find Current Position by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
Already worked there
15.0
16.3
34.3
23.8
29.0
28.0
Own job search
36.1
26.2
17.6
16.2
21.1
20.9
Friend or family contact
17.0
14.9
11.1
7.9
10.9
10.0
Business contact
2.0
7.4
3.7
1.7
3.1
2.4
Had internship there
10.9
7.9
9.3
3.1
2.8
2.8
Faculty referral
4.1
6.9
0.9
2.1
1.5
2.4
Alumni contact
0.7
2.0
2.8
0.3
1.8
0.5
Career Center job Listings
2.7
5.0
1.9
2.4
1.3
3.3
RISE/On-campus interviews
0.0
1.0
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.0
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(393)
(211)
(No. of respondents on which percentages based)
Table 13. Factors Respondents Deemed Important for Finding Current Job by Graduation Year
2005-2006
Work experience
Interpersonal skills
Major/coursework
Leadership experience
Technical skills
Above Average GPA
Internship
Extra-curricular activities
(No. of responses)
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
60.5
60.5
45.6
28.6
28.6
20.4
18.4
10.2
53.5
52.5
45.0
37.1
34.7
23.8
14.4
13.9
32.4
42.6
37.0
31.5
25.9
13.9
13.9
9.3
41.4
35.2
25.2
26.6
17.2
13.8
9.3
6.6
38.4
41.7
29.3
26.7
24.9
15.0
12.5
9.4
39.3
37.4
30.3
23.2
16.6
9.5
8.5
7.1
(147)
(202)
(108)
(290)
(393)
(211)
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
Table 14. Respondents' Graduate Education Plans by Graduation Year
2005-2006
Respondent plans to attend graduate school:
Yes
Currently enrolled
No
Total
(No. of responses)
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
62.0
13.4
24.6
100.0
58.3
19.1
22.6
100.0
47.7
29.9
22.4
100.0
54.9
19.2
25.9
100.0
56.3
14.3
29.4
100.0
45.2
12.3
42.5
100.0
(142)
(199)
(107)
(286)
(384)
(146)
37.1
52.9
10.0
100.0
47.2
41.7
11.1
100.0
23.5
58.8
17.7
100.0
43.8
39.9
16.3
100.0
39.4
50.0
10.7
100.1
44.7
42.6
12.8
100.0
(70)
(108)
(51)
(153)
(216)
(94)
Respondents plan to enroll in: *
Less than 2 years
2 - 3 years
4 or more years
Total
(No. of responses)
* Includes only those respondents who indicated they planned to attend graduate school.
Table 15. Percentage of Respondents Earning Baccalaureate Degrees
Who Indicated That Coursework in Their Major Had Enhanced Various Skills
Moderately or a Great Deal by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
Writing
Oral communication
Critical Thinking
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work in a multicultural setting
94.3
89.5
93.1
88.6
75.6
91.3
89.8
89.7
87.2
84.4
85.0
78.8
82.5
77.2
73.1
80.1
78.1
83.1
77.2
72.8
79.7
77.0
83.7
76.4
71.1
78.9
74.4
84.0
75.6
71.4
Ability to think in global/international terms
Computer literacy
Problem Solving
76.7
75.0
72.3
75.4
73.0
56.3
62.3
59.3
52.7
62.2
57.2
48.6
63.8
57.4
46.8
65.5
52.3
50.6
(86)
(122)
(80)
(288)
(376)
(180)
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010 - 2011
(No. of responses)
Table 16. Percentage of Respondents Earning Baccalaureate Degrees
Who Indicated That Coursework NOT in Their Major Had Enhanced Various Skills
Moderately or a Great Deal by Graduation Year
2005-2006
2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008
Writing
Oral communication
Critical Thinking
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work in a multicultural setting
94.3
89.5
93.1
88.6
75.6
91.3
89.8
89.7
87.2
84.4
85.0
78.8
82.5
77.2
73.1
71.4
62.1
61.6
57.3
58.3
64.5
57.8
61.8
57.1
57.2
62.1
51.2
54.7
53.3
55.4
Ability to think in global/international terms
Computer literacy
Problem Solving
76.7
75.0
72.3
75.4
73.0
56.3
62.3
59.3
52.7
64.3
45.4
34.5
52.8
43.1
33.8
45.5
33.9
31.9
(86)
(122)
(80)
(263)
(348)
(348)
(No. of responses)