First Destination Survey Is Here!
The First Destination Survey (FDS) is a national survey of college students administered by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). This annual survey captures employment data of college graduates within six months of their graduation. Survey results seek to provide clear, concise and consistent insights on the employment outcomes associated with a college education, both at NOVA and at U.S. institutions of higher education more broadly.
Survey outcomes include:
- Types of employment (full or part time, contract, freelance, military, etc.);
- Additional education (e.g., license, certification, bachelor’s degree); and
- Starting salary, location and job role for those employed.
The online survey is quick and easy to complete. Graduates can access the survey through Career Connection, on the Symplicity mobile app (available through the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store), or through this external link.
With faculty and staff assistance, NOVA’s Business Engagement and Career Services team can collect this important data from our graduates across all disciplines and programs. Please encourage graduates in your classes and who you work with to complete the survey and update their employment outcomes as soon as possible. The survey closes on Sunday, September 1.
Benefits to NOVA
The goal of the FDS is to capture data to improve career services, provide real-time insights to faculty and better prepare students for their future. Survey results will yield trend data over time to inform evidence-based discussions on the impact and value of earning a degree at NOVA. This is key information for marketing to prospective students, securing grants and funding, adjusting programming to account for market demands and meeting our students where they are.
Benefits to Students
For students who have secured a positive post-graduation outcome, the FDS provides a means of cataloging and celebrating that success. Further, the data gathered by the FDS empowers all of us who are part of the larger NOVA community to more intentionally advocate for student success. In addition, the data collected helps inform future students of the value of their education, expose them to potential career paths and underscore the importance of data collection.
If you have questions about the FDS, please feel free to submit them here. A member of the Business Engagement and Career Services team will respond with an answer. We look forward to starting a discussion on how we can improve this critical initiative and share the results to the benefit of the NOVA community.
Submitted by:
Antoine Harris, Special Programs and Data Coordinator, AHarris@nvcc.edu