news
March 26, 2024
70% of employed graduates are employed in North Dakota
Valley City, North Dakota – Valley City State University (VCSU) announced today that 98% of all degree recipients reporting for the 2022-2023 academic year are employed or continuing their education.
Of all reporting graduates with education degrees, 62% are employed in North Dakota. The rest are working or pursuing additional degrees in 19 different states, from South Dakota to Florida to Alaska. This data was published as part of the annual VCSU First Destination Report.
A printable version of the infographic can be found here.
“The success of our graduates in their desired career fields demonstrates the continued value of a VCSU degree,” said President Alain LaFave. “A student's experience at VCSU helps prepare them for fulfilling and productive careers. Many become valued members of North Dakota communities and benefit from affordable educational opportunities that lead to community and individual success. We are happy to assist the state by providing this.”
Mariah Topp, who will graduate from Elementary Education in Spring 2023, said, “My first year as a teacher has taught me that VCSU has prepared me in many ways to be a successful, well-prepared, and effective teacher. I can confidently say that I was prepared.” “One of the strongest parts of the VCSU education program is the amount of hands-on teaching experience. Teaching is a profession that improves with practice, and I have learned from real-life experience and from experienced educators that I have observed. Through his guidance, I was able to gain a lot of experience.”
Among graduates who earned a bachelor's degree in another field (other than education), 98% reported being employed or pursuing continuing education. Of the non-teaching graduates who reported, 70% were employed in North Dakota, and of those continuing in education, 52% were enrolled in North Dakota schools. During the same period, 32 students completed internships at various companies and organizations.
“Dual majoring in psychology and human services gave me the background knowledge I needed to pursue my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling,” said Kasen, human services and psychology graduate student. Anderson said. “After interning at the Abuser Support Center and the Community Green Dot Program, I felt even more prepared for my future. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and what I continue to have.”
100% of graduates who report earning a master's degree say they are gainfully employed, and 74% of them are employed in North Dakota.
“Our graduate programs help individuals expand their horizons through education,” said Dr. James Baugh, Dean of Graduate Studies. “With our graduate program for educators and our Master of Science in Business Information Systems, the programs we offer have helped many people achieve their career goals.”
“When I decided to pursue a career in teaching after transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom of three children, I was excited but also overwhelmed. Each class in Valley City State University's Master of Arts in Education (MAT) program added a piece of the puzzle that I was missing. '' said Cherise Puff, a recent graduate. “My professors were actively involved in my success. I started teaching at the same time as I earned my degree, so I was able to put the strategies I was learning into practice in real time. By the end of the program, I have all the information I need to become an effective teacher. Through this program and my experience in my own classroom, I have fallen in love with teaching and plan to continue doing so for many years to come.”
The First Destination Report is published by the VCSU Career Services Department. It is developed according to the standards of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
If you would like to schedule an interview regarding the data or for more information, please contact Tammy Jo Taft by emailing tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu or calling (701) 845-7227.
