Summary of FDTC's Graduate Survey 2002
The results of the Florence-Darlington Technical College's (FDTC) annual Graduate Evaluation Survey 2002 are
attached for appraisal. The Graduate Evaluation is administered annually to the graduates in attendance at the
graduation rehearsal in May of the respective year. On May 14, 2002, four hundred and twenty eight (428)
students completed the survey. Highlights of the results are listed below. A report of statistics related to the full
report is available for review in the FDTC Office of Research, Planning and Assessment.
Graduate Considerations of FDTC and the Future
Purpose for attending FDTC - 68% of graduates stated that they attended FDTC to prepare for career advancement
and to improve their existing job skills. Fifteen percent (15%) attended the college to graduate and earn credits
needed to transfer to a four year college or university.

89% of FDTC graduates reported that they accomplished their educational goal.

2002 graduates identified the following three objectives as their immediate goals after graduation:

Find a new job - 40%

Continue education - 25%

Maintain current job - 16%

86% of respondents stated that they would recommend FDTC to a friend of relative

81% of FDTC graduates recorded that they would consider FDTC to upgrade job skills or change careers
and 60% report that they expect to be working in the PEE DEE region in 10 years.
Student Services
Graduates rated Student Services with the differentiations noted below.

Admissions services -75% Excellent to Good

Registration Process -70% Excellent to Good

Financial Aid services -61% Excellent to Good. This rating represents a 4% increase over FDTC's 2001
graduates' ratings of the same service.

Career Services operations - 60% Excellent to Good

Job Placement services - 52% Excellent to Good

Faculty Advising, Library Services and Registrar Services - All of these services were awarded a 68%
Excellent to Good rating.

Success Center services - During this year, this unit combined operations with the unit previously know as
the Class Center. Seventy six percent (76%) of the graduates who used the Success Center rated the
services as Excellent to Good.
Educational Programs
Students stated the following observations about their educational programs:

General Education course content - 81% Excellent to Good

Course Content in Your Program - 79% Excellent to Good

Quality Instruction - 75% Excellent to Good

Preparation for Future Occupations - 76% Excellent to Good

Preparation in Written Communication Skills, preparation in General Computer Skills, and preparation in
Word Processing Skills

74% of the graduates rated both the preparation for Written Communication Skills and preparation for
General Computer Skills Excellent to Good

84% of the graduates responding to the survey scored their FDTC preparation for Word Processing Skills
as Excellent to Good
Education Contribution to Personal Growth
Student responses to the question, "How did your educational experience at FDTC contribute to your personal
growth?" are as follows:

Comprehension of Written Material and Documents - 82% Very Much to Some

Speaking Effectively - 83% Very Much to Some

Comprehension of written materials and documents - 82% Very Much to Some

Self Confidence in expressing your ideas - 80% Very Much to Some

Learning on your own - 82% Very Much to Some

Working Cooperatively With Others - 84% Very Much to Some

Developing Self Reliance, developing Decision Making Skills and developing Problem Solving Skills -

82% of individuals completing the survey rated their FDTC preparation for both Developing Self Reliance
and strengthening their Decision Making Skills as Excellent to Good

81% of the graduates responding to the survey scored their FDTC preparation for Problem Solving as
Excellent to Good
Student Satisfaction with Designated Services
2002 Graduates expressed satisfaction with the following selected FDTC services.

Quality of instruction- 87% reported satisfied to very satisfied

Faculty consideration for student differences- 78% reported satisfied to very satisfied

Individual concern from academic advisors- 77% reported satisfied to very satisfied

Goal setting with academic advisor- 71% reported satisfied to very satisfied

Early notification of poor performance- 69% reported satisfied to very satisfied
2002 Graduates who participated in Distance Learning Courses expressed the following reasons for taking this type
of course.

Could not get to campus 20%

Unable to fit into campus schedule 22%

Convenience 48%

Other 10%