The Graduate Outcome Survey is used to collect information on recent graduates such as employment outcomes, further studies, and overall program satisfaction. The results are used to better understand employability of our graduates and our impact on the labour market.
To begin the survey, please check your email during the launch period (i.e. typically June/July for the previous year graduates) for an email from the Office of Institutional Research with a subject of CNA Graduate Outcomes Survey. There will be a direct link to the questionnaire embedded in the email, as well as detailed information required that is related to this initiative.
Each survey should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes to complete. Your name will remain anonymous and results will be used solely for research and planning purposes. This is your chance to have your voice heard!
What is a Graduate Outcome Survey?
It is a questionnaire sent to the newest CNA graduates to collect information on recent graduates such as employment outcomes, further studies, and overall program satisfaction. Employment type, industry, and salary are some of the areas data is collected on to help improve areas of employment readiness within the curriculum while at CNA.
Who is being surveyed?
All CNA graduates from core/credit programs are contacted approximately one year after graduating in order to get their feedback about the College and their experience since leaving the College.
Why is completing the Graduate Outcome Survey so important?
The feedback gathered will help to identify trends and patterns in employment within your program of study; such as securing a job or further studies. It also lets current and potential students know about opportunities that might be available to them so that they can make informed choices about program and career options. Understanding the labour market is an essential part of program planning, resulting in higher student/graduate satisfaction. Programs should be aligned and relevant to meet industry’s needs.
What does the Graduate Outcome Survey look like?
The survey is administered in an online format, both via email and/or telephone. It is divided into four sections – Program satisfaction while at CNA; further studies; Employment; and Alumni Services. There are both open and closed ended questions in the survey.
How can we access the Graduate Outcome Survey?
The survey will be emailed to CNA Alumni as a first attempt for completion. The link to the survey will be enclosed in the body of the email. Unanswered surveys will be followed up with a phone call.
Can the Graduate Outcome Survey be completed on a mobile device?
Yes, as long as you have access to a wireless network.
When can we start completing the survey?
The Graduate Outcome Survey is administered after the reference week. The reference week refers to a chosen period of time (one week in duration) where graduates can reflect on specifically. The reference week will be the first full week in June with emails being sent out the following 2-3 weeks. Follow-up phone calls be will commence shortly after.
How secure are the responses?
The questionnaire is being administered in a confidential manner and any personal information collected in this survey will only be known to the Institutional Research (IR) Office and will only be used by the IR Office for analytical purposes. The final reports will not contain, nor refer to, any personal information or personal identifiers.
How will the results be used?
The feedback will be used by CNA executive to effectively improve upon areas within the College that graduates have given feedback on. Student counsellors will use the overall summary report when communicating with students regarding employment. The overall summary report provides a general overview based on all data collected across all academic areas and programs. A program summary report will also be completed for each program, as long as it meets the threshold of 5 or more respondents. The information from these reports will be provided upon request through the Office of IR.
Is the Graduate Outcome Survey results valid and reliable?
Response rates do affect the level of confidence in the accuracy of data. The more graduates reached to participate in the survey, the more accurate the results will be.
What to do in case of technological difficulties?
For graduates completing the survey on their own via email, if you have any trouble accessing the survey, please copy and paste the link embedded in the email into a new web browser. Graduates can also contact the IR Office if issues persist at
ir_surveys@cna.nl.ca.
Who to contact if there are more questions?
If you have additional questions about the Graduate Outcome Survey, please contact the Office of Institutional Research at
IRP@cna.nl.ca.
Any questions or access issues can be shared to a member of the Institutional Research & Planning (IRP) team by emailing
