an analysis of industrial technology (it) programs effectiveness through the eyes of it graduates: a...

An Analysis of Industrial Technology (IT) Programs

Effectiveness Throughthe Eyes of IT Graduates:

A National Survey of 2002 Graduates

Presented by

Sam Mason, CMfgT, CSIT

Jaby Mohammed, PhD

International Technology Education Association70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

2002 Alumni

• Based on input from colleagues, the questionnaire was revised and updated.

• In the academic year 2007, the revised survey was administered with the alumni of 2002.


2002 Alumni• Contributions of Industrial Technology

Programs at: Morehead State University

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

East Carolina University

University of Central Missouri

Iowa State UniversityInternational Technology Education Association70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

2002 Alumni• 35 questionnaires were

completed and returned.


• What positions do IT alumni hold?• What is alumni’s highest academic

degree and present qualifications?• What is their average salary?• How do they perceive their completed

program?

Major Points


Salary: 2002 Graduates

• Average: $48,968

• Minimum: $30,000• Maximum: $75,000

• Average: $48,968

• Minimum: $30,000• Maximum: $75,000

Median ~ $50,000International Technology Education Association70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

Survey Results•Age

– 61.5% are less than 30 years old

– 38.5% are over 30 years

•Gender– 14% Female – 86% Male

•Degree earned - 80% B.S.- 22% A.S.International Technology Education Association

70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

Employment Status

Full time 97.2% Part time 0%Unemployed 2.8%Graduate Student 0%


Employment

• When were they employed?

Before enrollment 0% Before graduation 23% After graduation 77%


Position-Responsibilities

• Was their present occupation directly related to the program of study?

Yes 85.7%No 11.4%Not reported 2.8%


• How long did it take to complete the degree?

More than 6 years 8.5% 4 years or less

48.5% 4 years to 6 years

42.8%

Time Frame


New Position

• Since completing the program, have they been promoted to a new position?

Yes 42.8%No 37.1%No Response 20%


• Overall evaluation of the program can be summarized as:

Failing 0%Poor 2.8%Average 17%Good 54.2%Excellent 25.7%

Impression


Graduate Education• Have they enrolled in a graduate

program?

Yes 25.7%No 74.2%

– If yes, specify• Master of Technology• MBA


Subject Matter

• Which of the following courses have proved of most value?

Rating scale: 1 = lowest value.

5 = highest value.


Courses Mean • General education 3.2• Technical 4.3• Cooperative education 4• Courses with Lab experiments 4.2• Courses Without Lab 3.8• Internship/on-site project 4

Remains constant throughout all 5 years of the studyInternational Technology Education Association


Strengths

• Professors/ Instructors

• Teaching Methods

• Real-World Experience • Field trips

• Online Courses

• Laboratories

• Advising

• Co-op Opportunities

Please list major strengths of the program completed.


Strengths

• Flexible and Knowledgeable Staff

• Equipment Availability

• Diversity of Courses (Materials Testing, QC, Supervisory, Machining)

• Broad Range of Industry Covered

• Open Door Policy with Faculty

• Senior Capstone

• Excellent departmental contacts and relations with industry

Please list major strengths of the program completed.


Need Improvement• Need updated

equipment• Scheduling/

Availability of classes

• Need more real life experience

• Need more management classes

• Need more web design course

• Need more online courses

• Not enough technical writing

• Not enough upper level courses


Graduate Education• Are they planning to earn a Master’s

degree? Yes 59%

No 29%

Undecided 12%

• Preferred programs based on the following scale:

1 = least preferable -- 5 = most preferable International Technology Education Association


Graduate ProgramsPrograms Mean

• Master of Industrial Technology 4.1

• Master of Education 2.5• Master of Voc. Education 3.1• MBA 3.3• Master in Quality Assurance 2.8International Technology Education Association70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

Satisfaction Level of satisfaction based on the

following scale:

5 = very satisfied 4 = satisfied 3 = neutral 2 = dissatisfied1 = very dissatisfied


SatisfactionItems Mean

Advising/Mentoring 4.6Teaching 3.9Tutoring 3.6Field Trips 3.9Lab Experiments 4.2Counseling 3.5Cooperative education 3.7


Perceptions“I believe I am a more competent

professional because of earning a degree.”

Strongly agree 8.5% Agree 68.5% Don’t know 20% Disagree 0% Strongly disagree 2.8%International Technology Education Association


Trends

Trend of Gender Response

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

1999 2000 2001 2002

Year of Study

Res

pons

e

Male

Female


Trend of Particpant Age

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

1999 2000 2001 2002

Year of Study

Res

po

nse < 30 years

> 30 years


Trend of Program Completion

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1999 2000 2001 2002

Year of Study

Resp

onse

4 years or less

4 ~ 6 years

More than 6 years


Degree Level

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1999 2000 2001 2002

Year of Study

Resp

onse Bachelors

Associate


Employed

96%

4%

Employed


Trend of Salary

$0.00

$20,000.00

$40,000.00

$60,000.00

$80,000.00

$100,000.00

$120,000.00

1999 2000 2001 2002

Year of Study

An

nu

al S

ala

ry

Average Salary

Min Salary Reported

Max Salary Reported


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Response

1 2 3 4

Year of Study

Job Relation to Degree

Relates

Does NOT Relate

No Response


SUMMARY

The feedback from IT alumni who are functioning as technologists in

industrial, business, and educational organizations

will be a valuable tool to assess the effectiveness of programs.


SUMMARY• For Industrial Technology programs

to stay on the leading edge of the profession, it is critical that their curricula be systematically examined and revised.

• Need updated equipment• Scheduling/ Availability

of classes• Need more real life

experience• Not enough upper level

courses


SUMMARY

• Each institution should continue efforts to recruit and retain female students in IT programs

• Scheduling modifications and flexible course offerings should be considered to meet the needs of the “working” studentInternational Technology Education Association


SUMMARY• Technical, Project Based, Hands-on

Laboratories and Co-op/ Internships indicate high levels of job relation, satisfaction and employment growth

• High number of responses indicate that the job market is favorable for Industrial Technology graduates for field related employment


Comments• Please feel free to contact me if I

can ever be of help to the department.

• Keep up the good work.

• Great Program. Faculty were Great.International Technology Education Association70th Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah

Comments• There is a need for more classes

pertaining to the field of work. For instance…types of concrete, since this is the widest used material for construction, very little is taught about it. There needs to be one course on concrete only.


an analysis of industrial technology (it) programs effectiveness through the eyes of it graduates: a...

Documents

utah slide

graduate education

cooperative education

general education

graduate program

completed program

following courses

program of study