The Employers II: A Survey of Employers Who Have Hired Career Program Graduates of Montgomery Community College

• Main Authors: Gell, Robert L, Jones, Robert F
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 1975
• Subjects: Associate Degrees; Employer Attitudes; Employment Qualifications; Followup Studies; Job Skills; Questionnaires; Technical Education; Two Year Colleges; Vocational Education; Vocational Followup

As part of a student follow-up system, a survey was conducted of employers of 1973-74 career program graduates of Montgomery College (MC). The survey was divided into three major areas: the value of an associate degree in the working world, an evaluation of the job preparation given to MC graduates, and suggestions for improvements in individual curricula. Although there were 280 graduates of career curricula, only 96 of them (34 percent) gave permission for their employers to be contacted. The 77 responses represent an 80 percent return rate. Graduates were working to a great degree either for private firms or local government agencies, primarily in Montgomery County. While most of the employers employ other two-year college graduates, the majority of them indicated they did not give preference to associate degree holders. On the other hand, earning an associate degree while on the job increases promotion chances and upgrades one's position in terms of job tasks and responsibilities. Job preparation and performance were viewed as adequate to more than adequate overall. Respondents indicated that they would hire other MC graduates in the same skill area. The findings of this study were seen as virtually identical to those of a similar employer survey conducted in 1973. Data are tabulated, and the survey instrument is appended. (NHM)