Abstract:
The study examined factors important for professional success of graduates. It examined the state of graduates’ employment considering generic skills acquired during course of studentship at the Wisconsin International University College. The relevance academic programmes offered by the University College in helping graduates’ maintain their jobs was also explored. An online based questionnaire was used to tap graduates views on their employment status and factors that have made them into successful professionals. Two hundred and thirty graduates who had graduated from the University College from 2000 to 2012 completed the questionnaire. The study revealed that 84% of graduates are in gainful employment while 2.5% report they had never worked since graduation. Also 13.5% report that they are not employed at the time of completing the questionnaire. Fifty six percent of graduates are employed in the private sector with 17% occupying top management positions, 40% in mid level management positions and 14% as first line managers. Communication skills, critical thinking skills, computer skills, problem solving skills, entrepreneurial and research skills are mentioned as generic skills picked up during their training in WIUC that has helped them remain successful in their professions. Quality teaching, core course mix and quality of student workload are mentioned among others as strengths of the WIUC programmes. It was interesting to note that in spite of the weaknesses observed by graduates in facilities, support services, and WIUC’s linkages with industry, graduates are still very confident that the quality of training, of teaching and learning and the programmes WIUC offered them did prepare them adequately for the world of work.
