Employer Survey 2015

Employer Survey 2015 Curtis E. Miller, Ph.D. Office of Institutional Research Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee November 16, 2015

Executive Summary Introduction In 2014, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) initiated efforts to gather systematic feedback from employers familiar with the work of our graduates. Such research was identified in the OSUIT 2014-2019 Strategic Plan as a crucial need for administrators in making data-driven decisions. The 2015 Employer Survey was administered during the 2015 summer semester; results from this survey differ somewhat from those of the 2014 Employer Survey. Method Employer Survey forms were sent to all employers identified by students who completed the Graduate Exit Interview or the Graduation Survey during the 2013-2014 academic year. Invited to complete the survey were 149 employers; a total of 38 returned surveys for a response rate of 25.5 percent, nearly double the response rate from the prior year (13.8%). In 2014, the sample included not only the employers identified by graduating students completing a graduation survey; it also included as many advisory committee members as could be identified by each of the academic schools and programs. The advisory committee members were asked to participate due to a lack of employer data available. Uncertain is the number of advisors who knew any of our graduates in a supervisory capacity. Further, these initial surveys were designed for employers to aggregate their responses across all currently employed OSUIT graduates within their respective organizations. Some distributed the surveys to supervisors at other locations within their organizations. Others made copies of the form and completed a survey for each employee individually. The 2015 sample included only identified supervisors or employers with viable contact information. Also, each survey identified a singular OSUIT graduate-employee as the focus of the employer s ratings. The 2015 sample included only identified supervisors or employers with viable contact information. Also, each survey identified a singular OSUIT graduate-employee as the focus of the employer s ratings. Employers rated graduates on 23 skills using a five-point scale with 1 = Not Competent, 2 = Adequate, 3 = Good, 4 = Competent, and 5 = Very Competent. The results section of this report summarizes responses by combining Good, Competent, and Very Competent ratings into a percentage of all ratings on each skill. There are also four summary items utilizing a four-point scale ranging from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree. One additional item reflects employers overall satisfaction with the OSUIT graduates employed in their organizations using a four-point scale ranging from Highly Satisfied to Highly Dissatisfied. Results were summarized to reflect the percentage of employers whose response was Agree/Strongly Agree or Somewhat Satisfied/Highly Satisfied, respectively. 2

Sample Characteristics A substantially larger proportion of respondents (89.5%) were the supervisors of our OSUIT graduates compared to last year (72.3%); the remainder were reportedly not the supervisor but were familiar with the work of the OSUIT graduate. When asked to indicate their primary company functions, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration led the list reported in this sample. Most (79%), however, did not answer the follow-up question: In which of the following areas do you employ this OSUIT Graduate? Employers reported on employment classification of the OSUIT graduates within their organizations; 52.6 percent were hourly employees; 34.2 percent were salaried; 5.3 percent were apprentices, trainees, or interns; 7.9 percent were temporary employees or other. Employers reported 89.5 percent of the OSUIT graduates worked full-time. As for tenure, 23.7 percent had been employed for a year or less. Most OSUIT graduates (68.4%) had been employed by the organization between one and three years, while a small proportion (7.9%) of OSUIT graduates had been employed for more than three years; this suggests some students were employed at their workplace prior to their graduation from OSUIT. Median pay range was $35,000 to $39,999. Employers reported pay ranging from a low of less than $10,000 (classification and status unreported) up to the $70,000-$74,999 range. Employers also reported internship pay, as particular internships continue well beyond graduation. Classification for particular careers was not well-defined, such as for employees who earn flat rate, flag rate, or wait-staff rates of pay; these situations reflect certain challenges in gathering pay data that may need to be addressed. In terms of how the OSUIT graduates education related to their respective jobs, most employers reported the OSUIT graduates education was somewhat related (21.5%) or very closely related (63.2%) to their areas of responsibility within the organization. Skills Ratings Employers responding to the survey reported satisfaction with the performance level of OSUIT graduates and primarily rated their competence in their jobs as good, competent, or highly competent. The top five skills possessed by OSUIT graduates as reported by employers were Use of Current Technologies, Current Knowledge/Methods/Techniques, Teamwork, Integrity, and Cooperation. Following are the individual item results. Item Positive Rating Percent Expertise with Tools 84.21% Use of Current Technologies 92.11% 3

Current Knowledge/Methods/Techniques 92.11% Performance of Tasks to Completion 86.84% Customer Service Skills 73.68% Initiative 84.21% Integrity 89.47% Dependability 86.85% Teamwork 89.48% Problem Recognition 88.28% Information Seeking 81.58% Problem-solving Skills 84.21% Sound Judgment 86.84% Time Management Skills 76.32% Verbal Communication Skills 81.58% Written Communication 76.31% Listening Skills 78.94% Leadership Skills 65.79% Cooperation 89.47% Professionalism 84.22% Taking Direction 86.84% Independent Decision-making 84.20% Dealing with People of Diverse Backgrounds 81.58% Summary Scale Ratings Employers report a willingness to hire graduates or recommend OSUIT graduates and OSUIT itself to anyone interested in pursuing a degree. Summary scale items were as follows 97.4 percent would hire an OSUIT graduate again. 97.4 percent of employers would recommend OSUIT to anyone interested in pursuing a degree. 94.7 percent of employers surveyed were satisfied with graduates from OSUIT who came to work for them. 92.1 percent of employers would recommend OSUIT graduates to others. Overall, 84.21 percent of employers were Somewhat Satisfied or Highly Satisfied with the performance of OSUIT graduates; 7.9 percent were Somewhat Dissatisfied or Highly Dissatisfied with graduates performance; also, 7.9 percent left no rating for this particular item. Summary Employers report satisfaction with OSUIT graduates in the workplace. Those supervisors or other individuals familiar with the job duties of these graduates appear ready to recommend both OSUIT and its graduates to others. Further, the employers would hire graduates from 4

OSUIT again. Strengths as identified by these employers include Use of Current Technologies and Current Knowledge/Methods/Techniques which reflect directly on the OSUIT mission to serve as the lead institution of higher education in Oklahoma and the region providing comprehensive, high-quality, advancing technology programs and services to prepare and sustain a diverse student body as competitive members of a world-class workforce and contributing members of society. Likewise, Teamwork (89.5%), Integrity (89.5%), and Cooperation (89.5%) each received high marks among employers; these reflect our values at OSUIT. Leadership Skills (65.8% positive ratings) and Customer Service Skills (73.7% positive ratings) were the areas of competence reported as weakest in this sample; however, these skill areas were also more likely than others to be reported as irrelevant to the job (not applicable = 5.3% and 13.2%, respectively). Rather than responding generally about all OSUIT graduates in their employ, employers were able to focus on an individual graduate when making their ratings. 5

Appendix A: Sample Characteristics Tables 6

Q6. I am: The Supervisor 34 89.47% Not the Supervisor, but familiar with their work habits. 4 10.53% Comments 1 2.63% (Did not answer) 0 0% Total Responses 39 Multiple answers per participant possible. Percentages added may exceed 100 since a participant may select more than one answer for this question. 7

Q7. Please indicate your primary company functions (select all that apply). 3D Modeling & Animation 0 0% Air Conditioning & Refrigeration 6 15.79% Automotive Collision Repair 2 5.26% Automotive Repair and Service 1 2.63% Business Administration 1 2.63% Civil Engineering 1 2.63% Construction Management 1 2.63% Culinary Arts 5 13.16% Diesel & Heavy Equipment Repair 2 5.26% Electrical 4 10.53% Electrical/Electronics & Instrumentation 5 13.16% Elementary Education 0 0% Engineering Graphics & Design Drafting 2 5.26% Enterprise Management 4 10.53% Gaming 1 2.63% Graphic/Advertising/Publishing Design 2 5.26% High Voltage Lineman 2 5.26% Information Assurance and Forensics 1 2.63% Information Technologies 4 10.53% Instrumentation Engineering 2 5.26% Marketing/Communication 1 2.63% Manufacturing Operations 5 13.16% Multimedia/Web Design 1 2.63% 8

Natural Gas Compression 3 7.89% Network Infrastructure 2 5.26% Nursing 1 2.63% Office Information Systems 1 2.63% Orthotics & Prosthetics 1 2.63% Photography/Video 1 2.63% Pipeline Integrity 2 5.26% Plumbing 0 0% Post-secondary Education 0 0% Power Plant Operations 0 0% Secondary Education 2 5.26% Software Development 2 5.26% Surveying 0 0% Watchmaking & Microtechnology 0 0% Welding 0 0% Other (please specify) 9 23.68% (Did not answer) 0 0% Total Responses 77 Multiple answers per participant possible. Percentages added may exceed 100 since a participant may select more than one answer for this question. 9

Q8. In which of the following areas do you employ this OSUIT Graduate? (select all that apply) 3D Modeling & Animation 0 0% Air Conditioning & Refrigeration 0 0% Automotive Collision Repair 0 0% Automotive Repair and Service 0 0% Business Administration 0 0% Civil Engineering 1 2.63% Construction Management 0 0% Culinary Arts 1 2.63% Diesel & Heavy Equipment Repair 0 0% Electrical 0 0% Electrical/Electronics & Instrumentation 1 2.63% Elementary Education 0 0% Engineering Graphics & Design Drafting 0 0% Enterprise Management 0 0% Gaming 0 0% Graphic/Advertising/Publishing Design 1 2.63% High Voltage Lineman 0 0% Information Assurance and Forensics 0 0% Information Technologies 2 5.26% Instrumentation Engineering 0 0% Marketing/Communication 1 2.63% Manufacturing Operations 0 0% Multimedia/Web Design 2 5.26% 10

Natural Gas Compression 1 2.63% Network Infrastructure 1 2.63% Nursing 0 0% Office Information Systems 1 2.63% Orthotics & Prosthetics 0 0% Photography/Video 1 2.63% Pipeline Integrity 0 0% Plumbing 0 0% Post-secondary Education 0 0% Power Plant Operations 0 0% Secondary Education 0 0% Software Development 0 0% Surveying 0 0% Watchmaking & Microtechnology 0 0% Welding 0 0% Other (please specify) 1 2.63% (Did not answer) 30 78.95% Total Responses 44 Multiple answers per participant possible. Percentages added may exceed 100 since a participant may select more than one answer for this question. 11

Q9. Which best describes this OSUIT graduate employed by your company? Exempt, Unclassified, Salaried 13 34.21% Non-exempt, Classified, Hourly 20 52.63% Independent Contractor 0 0% Paid Apprentice, Trainee, or Intern 2 5.26% Temporary Employee 2 5.26% Other (please specify) 1 2.63% (Did not answer) 1 2.63% Total Responses 39 Multiple answers per participant possible. Percentages added may exceed 100 since a participant may select more than one answer for this question. Q10. Which best describes this OSUIT graduate employed by your company? Full-time 34 89.47% Part-time 1 2.63% Other (please specify) 1 2.63% (Did not answer) 2 5.26% 12

Q11. How long has this OSUIT graduate been employed with your company? Less than six months 3 7.89% Between six months and one year 6 15.79% One to three years 26 68.42% Three to five years 3 7.89% More than five years 0 0% (Did not answer) 0 0% 13

Q12. What range below reflects the average annual pay before taxes for this OSUIT graduate? *This information is for accreditation purposes and only reported in aggregate: Personally identifiable information, either for individuals or organizations, will not be reported.* Less than $10,000 2 5.26% $10,000 - $14,999 3 7.89% $15,000 - $19,999 0 0% $20,000 - $24,999 1 2.63% $25,000 - $29,999 4 10.53% $30,000 - $34,999 5 13.16% $35,000 - $39,999 4 10.53% $40,000 - $44,999 4 10.53% $45,000 - $49,999 3 7.89% $50,000 - $54,999 4 10.53% $55,000 - $59,999 1 2.63% $60,000 - $64,999 3 7.89% $65,000 - $69,999 2 5.26% $70,000 - $74,999 1 2.63% $75,000 - $79,999 0 0% $80,000 - $84,999 0 0% $85,000 - $89,999 0 0% $90,000 - $94,999 0 0% $95,000 - $99,999 0 0% $100,000 or more 0 0% (Did not answer) 1 2.63% 14

Q13. In your estimate, how well does this OSUIT graduate's education relate to his/her areas of responsibility in the organization? Very Closely Related 24 63.16% Somewhat Related 8 21.05% Somewhat Unrelated 0 0% Unrelated 0 0% (Did not answer) 6 15.79% 15

Appendix B Employer Ratings of Graduates Skills 16

14 (a): Expertise with tools Highly Competent 15 39.47% Competent 13 34.21% Good 4 10.53% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 3 7.89% 14 (b): Use of current technologies Highly Competent 13 34.21% Competent 16 42.11% Good 6 15.79% Adequate 1 2.63% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 1 2.63% 17

14 (c): Current knowledge/methods/techniques Highly Competent 13 34.21% Competent 16 42.11% Good 6 15.79% Adequate 1 2.63% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 0 0% (Did not answer) 1 2.63% 14 (d): Performance of tasks to completion Highly Competent 17 44.74% Competent 13 34.21% Good 3 7.89% Adequate 1 2.63% Not Competent 4 10.53% N/A 0 0% 18

14 (e): Customer service skills Highly Competent 14 36.84% Competent 8 21.05% Good 6 15.79% Adequate 3 7.89% Not Competent 2 5.26% N/A 5 13.16% 14 (f): Initiative Highly Competent 18 47.37% Competent 9 23.68% Good 5 13.16% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 4 10.53% N/A 0 0% 19

14 (g): Integrity Highly Competent 24 63.16% Competent 8 21.05% Good 2 5.26% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 2 5.26% N/A 0 0% 14 (h): Dependability Highly Competent 18 47.37% Competent 11 28.95% Good 4 10.53% Adequate 4 10.53% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 0 0% 20

14 (i): Teamwork Highly Competent 23 60.53% Competent 7 18.42% Good 4 10.53% Adequate 3 7.89% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 0 0% 14 (j): Problem recognition Highly Competent 15 39.47% Competent 11 28.95% Good 4 10.53% Adequate 4 10.53% Not Competent 3 7.89% N/A 1 2.63% 21

14 (k): Information seeking Highly Competent 14 36.84% Competent 12 31.58% Good 5 13.16% Adequate 3 7.89% Not Competent 3 7.89% N/A 1 2.63% 14 (l): Problem solving Highly Competent 13 34.21% Competent 11 28.95% Good 8 21.05% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 3 7.89% N/A 1 2.63% 22

14 (m): Sound judgment Highly Competent 15 39.47% Competent 11 28.95% Good 7 18.42% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 3 7.89% N/A 0 0% 14 (n): Time management Highly Competent 7 18.42% Competent 12 31.58% Good 10 26.32% Adequate 4 10.53% Not Competent 4 10.53% N/A 1 2.63% 23

14 (o): Verbal communication Highly Competent 12 31.58% Competent 14 36.84% Good 5 13.16% Adequate 6 15.79% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 0 0% 14 (p): Written communication Highly Competent 8 21.05% Competent 14 36.84% Good 7 18.42% Adequate 5 13.16% Not Competent 1 2.63% N/A 3 7.89% 24

14 (q): Listening skills Highly Competent 14 36.84% Competent 14 36.84% Good 2 5.26% Adequate 8 21.05% Not Competent 0 0% N/A 0 0% 14 (r): Leadership skills Highly Competent 7 18.42% Competent 12 31.58% Good 6 15.79% Adequate 8 21.05% Not Competent 3 7.89% N/A 2 5.26% 25

14 (s): Cooperation Highly Competent 19 50.00% Competent 8 21.05% Good 7 18.42% Adequate 2 5.26% Not Competent 2 5.26% N/A 0 0% 14 (t): Professionalism Highly Competent 16 42.11% Competent 10 26.32% Good 6 15.79% Adequate 4 10.53% Not Competent 2 5.26% N/A 0 0% 26

14 (u): Taking direction Highly Competent 21 55.26% Competent 7 18.42% Good 5 13.16% Adequate 3 7.89% Not Competent 2 5.26% N/A 0 0% 14 (v): Independent decision-making Highly Competent 9 23.68% Competent 14 36.84% Good 9 23.68% Adequate 1 2.63% Not Competent 4 10.53% N/A 1 2.63% 27

14 (w): Dealing with people of diverse backgrounds Highly Competent 12 31.58% Competent 11 28.95% Good 8 21.05% Adequate 3 7.89% Not Competent 0 0% N/A 4 10.53% 28

Appendix C Summary Scales 29

Q15. Overall, how satisfied are you with the performance of the OSUIT Graduates employed by your company? Highly Satisfied 27 71.05% Somewhat Satisfied 5 13.16% Somewhat Dissatisfied 2 5.26% Highly Dissatisfied 1 2.63% (Did not answer) 3 7.89% 16 (a): I would hire an OSUIT graduate again. Strongly Agree 27 71.05% Agree 10 26.32% Disagree 1 2.63% Strongly Disagree 0 0% 30

16 (b): I would recommend OSUIT graduates to others. Strongly Agree 27 71.05% Agree 8 21.05% Disagree 3 7.89% Strongly Disagree 0 0% 16 (c): I would recommend OSUIT to anyone interested in pursuing a degree. Strongly Agree 28 73.68% Agree 9 23.68% Disagree 1 2.63% Strongly Disagree 0 0% 31

16 (d): Overall, I am satisfied with graduates from OSUIT. Strongly Agree 28 73.68% Agree 8 21.05% Disagree 2 5.26% Strongly Disagree 0 0% 32

Appendix D Employer Survey 2015 33

EMPLOYER SURVEY Your feedback on this survey can help shape the future of education at OSUIT! The OSUIT faculty, staff, and administration care about the level of education our graduates receive; and determining their success, as observed by a supervisor at their place of employment, is extremely valuable as we assess the quality of educational services provided at OSUIT. You have been recognized as a previous or current supervisor by the graduate listed below, so we are asking for your input. This survey will only take five to ten minutes depending on your familiarity with our graduate. CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: All responses to this survey are strictly confidential. Your participation or responses will not be disclosed to anyone outside OSUIT s Office of Institutional Research. All responses will be reported in aggregate so that your responses will not be personally identifiable. You may choose to end your participation at any time. Contact Dr. Curtis Miller in the OSUIT Office of Institutional Research at (918) 293-5498 or send email to iar@okstate.edu with any questions or concerns you may have. Today's date is: / / [mm/dd/yyyy] Name of OSUIT graduate hired by your organization? <filled field> Graduate s current job title Survey responses provided by: Your name and job title: Company/Organization name: Address 1: City, state/province, zip: <filled field> <filled field> <filled field> <filled field> If this information is no longer accurate, please update below. Your Name Job Title Company/Business Name Address 1 Address 2 City, State/Province & Zip Work relationship to graduate-- You are: The Supervisor Not the Supervisor, but familiar with this graduate s work habits C:\Users\cemille\Desktop\Employer\OSUIT Employer Survey 2015.docx 34

P a g e 2 Please indicate your primary company functions (select all that apply). 3D Modeling & Animation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Automotive Collision Repair Automotive Repair and Service Business Administration Civil Engineering Construction Management Culinary Arts Diesel & Heavy Equipment Repair Electrical Electrical/Electronics & Instrumentation Elementary Education Engineering Graphics & Design Drafting Enterprise Management Gaming Graphic/Advertising/Publishing Design High Voltage Lineman Information Assurance and Forensics Information Technologies Instrumentation Engineering Other (please specify) Instrumentation Engineering Marketing/Communications Manufacturing Operations Multimedia/Web Design Natural Gas Compression Network Infrastructure Nursing Office Information Systems Orthotics & Prosthetics Photography/Video Pipeline Integrity Plumbing Post-secondary Education Power Plant Operations Secondary Education Software Development Surveying Watchmaking & Microtechnology Welding In which of the following areas do you employ this OSUIT Graduate? (select all that apply) 3D Modeling & Animation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Automotive Collision Repair Automotive Repair and Service Business Administration Civil Engineering Construction Management Culinary Arts Diesel & Heavy Equipment Repair Electrical Electrical/Electronics & Instrumentation Elementary Education Engineering Graphics & Design Drafting Enterprise Management Gaming Graphic/Advertising/Publishing Design High Voltage Lineman Information Assurance and Forensics Information Technologies Instrumentation Engineering Instrumentation Engineering Marketing/Communications Manufacturing Operations Multimedia/Web Design Natural Gas Compression Network Infrastructure Nursing Office Information Systems Orthotics & Prosthetics Photography/Video Pipeline Integrity Plumbing Post-secondary Education Power Plant Operations Secondary Education Software Development Surveying Watchmaking & Microtechnology Welding Other (please specify) OSUIT Office of Institutional Research, 1801 East Fourth Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447 Office phone (918) 293-5498; Office email: iar@okstate.edu, Campus website: go.osuit.edu 35

P a g e 3 Which best describes this OSUIT Graduate employed by your company? Exempt, Unclassified, Salaried Non-exempt, Classified, Hourly Independent Contractor Paid Apprentice, Trainee, or Intern Temporary Employee Other (please specify) Which best describes this OSUIT Graduate employed by your company? Full-time Part-time Other (please specify) How long has this OSUIT Graduate been employed with your company? Less than six months Six months to one year One to three years Three to five years More than five years *This information is for accreditation purposes and only reported in aggregate: Personally identifiable information, either for individuals or organizations, will not be reported.* What range below reflects the average annual pay before taxes for this OSUIT Graduate? Less than $10,000 $10,000-$14,999 $15,000-$19,999 $20,000-$24,999 $25,000-$29,999 $30,000-$34,999 $35,000-$39,999 $40,000-$44,999 $45,000-$49,999 $50,000-$54,999 $55,000-$59,999 $60,000-$64,999 $65,000-$69,999 $70,000-$74,999 $75,000-$79,999 $80,000-$84,999 $85,000-$89,999 $90,000-$94,999 $95,000-$99,999 $100,000 or more OSUIT Office of Institutional Research, 1801 East Fourth Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447 Office phone (918) 293-5498; Office email: iar@okstate.edu, Campus website: go.osuit.edu 36

P a g e 4 In your estimate, how well does the OSUIT Graduate s education relate to the areas of responsibility in which they work in your organization? Very Closely Related Somewhat Related Somewhat Unrelated Unrelated Using a scale of 5= Highly Competent to 1= Not Competent, please select the rating that you feel best describes the competence of this OSUIT graduate in the areas below. Use N/A if the topic is not applicable to your company. Highly Not Competent Competent Good Adequate Competent N/A 5 4 3 2 1 Expertise with tools.................. Use of current technologies.................. Current knowledge/methods/techniques.................. Performance of tasks to completion.................. Customer service skills.................. Initiative.................. Integrity.................. Dependability.................. Teamwork.................. Problem recognition.................. Information seeking.................. Problem solving.................. Sound judgment.................. Time management.................. Verbal communication.................. Written communication.................. Listening skills.................. Leadership skills.................. Cooperation.................. Professionalism.................. Taking direction.................. Independent decision-making.................. Dealing with people of diverse backgrounds.................. OSUIT Office of Institutional Research, 1801 East Fourth Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447 Office phone (918) 293-5498; Office email: iar@okstate.edu, Campus website: go.osuit.edu 37

P a g e 5 Overall, how satisfied are you with the performance of the OSUIT Graduates employed by your company? Highly Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Highly Dissatisfied Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements: Strongly Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Disagree I would hire an OSUIT graduate again............. I would recommend OSUIT graduates to others............. I would recommend OSUIT to anyone interested in pursuing a degree............. Overall, I am satisfied with graduates from OSUIT............. Comments/Feedback: Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to our request for information and for your willingness to participate. Your input is a valuable contribution to OSU Institute of Technology. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. Curtis Miller at 918.293.5498 or email him at iar@okstate.edu. OSUIT Office of Institutional Research, 1801 East Fourth Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447 Office phone (918) 293-5498; Office email: iar@okstate.edu, Campus website: go.osuit.edu 38