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2017-2018 First destination: Career Preparation highlights

Experience during college

Survey states:
"Did you have any kind of career-related experience prior to graduation (types listed)?" (yes / no)
"What kind of experience did you have? (check ALL that apply)"

  • 93% of graduates had career-related experience during college.
  • Experience types (check all that apply):
    • 58% paid internship (same as prior year)
    • 46% summer job (down from 48% prior year)
    • 43%  part-time job (down from 46%)
    • 39% volunteer work (down from 41%)
    • 26% undergrduate research (up from 24%)
    • 19% unpaid internship (same)
    • 13% field study (up from 12%)
    • 7% co-op (up from 6%)
  • View experience by major or college: select college or major to view full report.

Regrets about career planning

Survey states:
If you had it to do over again, is there anything related to planning for life after college that you would do differently? (yes/no) If yes, check all that apply. I wish I had...:

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  • 55% said yes, they do have regrets.
    (down from 58% prior year.)
  • 45% said no regrets: "I did what I needed to achieve my goals."
  • Top regret EVERY YEAR (% of all respondents):
    • 31% wish had gotten more experience related to major or career goal. (down from 34% prior year)
  • Other regrets:
    • 28% wish had learned more/earlier about career options. (down from 29%)
    • 23% wish had asked professors/advisors for advice (more/earlier). (down from 24%)
    • 21% wish had started job search sooner. (down from 23%)
    • 20% wish had learned about grad or professional school (more/earlier). (down from 21%)
  • View for a single major or college: select college or major to view full report: regrets are last item.