2011 young alumni survey
DESCRIPTION
The results of a survey completed by more than 2,500 McMaster graduates of the last decade (young alumni).TRANSCRIPT
Young Alumni Survey December 2011
Results Report
Young Alumni Survey Results
December 2011
More than 2,500 of McMaster’s graduates of the last decade participated in the Young
Alumni Survey in December 2011. The answers and additional comments show a clear
interest in programming specifically tailored to support recent graduates in their social,
professional and intellectual growth. Respondents wrote enthusiastically about their pride
as McMaster graduates and gave thoughtful suggestions on the kind of programming that
would most benefit young alumni at the beginning of their adult life and career.
This document summarizes the results of the survey, including a selection of the many
hundreds of additional comments made by alumni.
Please direct any inquiries about the survey results to Erin O’Neil, [email protected].
Preliminary Information
– 1 –
In what year did you graduate?
– 2 –
Where do you currently live?
– 3 –
Where do you currently work?
Overall sample
SW Ontario sample
– 4 –
Please rank the top 3 examples of young alumni
programming that interest you.
Other: Sports activities, alumni discounts, family events, continuing education, community
and social justice issues, travel, leadership development, financial education.
– 5 –
How often would you take time to attend a young
alumni event in your area?
– 6 –
If McMaster offered monthly deals to young alumni,
which would you like to receive (choose all that apply)?
Other: Sports & entertainment, vacation and hotels, education, HSR and GO Transit, deals
outside Ontario.
Alumni Living outside Ontario
– 7 –
Which of these online resources for young alumni
would you use (choose all that apply)?
Other: Library access, online journal access, online chats with other grads or field-specific
alumni.
– 8 –
If you would be interested to find out more about
organizing a McMaster young alumni event in your
community, please leave your email and location.
More than 90 alumni living internationally expressed interest in organizing events in their
cities, including:
Riyadh
Zurich
Kinshasa
Vicenza
Mexico City
Beijing
Sacramento
Melbourne
Career Development
– 9 –
Please rank the top 5 professional development
programs that would interest you.
Other: Job shadowing, mentor program, field-specific PD, personal branding, entrepreneurial
workshop, conferences or seminars, online streaming with real-time responses to
questions.
– 10 –
Please rate the likelihood that you would attend a
professional development event during:
– 11 –
How likely would you be to use the following career
counseling resources?
Lifelong Learning
– 12 –
Please rank your top 3 choices for educational events
that you would be interested to attend:
Other: Anything online, an opportunity to share career experiences as a presenter, more
events in Toronto, opportunities to meet and interact with interesting guests.
– 13 –
How interested would you be to attend educational
events with these themes?
Comments: Would also like to see events related to a specific field of study, sports and athletics
at McMaster, environmental topics, with online accessibility.
– 14 –
Please rate the likelihood that you would attend an
educational event during the following times:
Social and Service
– 15 –
Please rank your top 5 choices for social events that
you would be interested to attend:
Other: Outdoor recreational trips, group travel, debates, wine & cheese, instructional classes
i.e. cooking, local indie concert and reception, movie nights, degree-specific
gatherings, tours.
– 16 –
Please rate the likelihood that you would attend a social
event during:
– 17 –
Please rank your top 3 choices for community service
that you would participate in as a Mac grad:
Other: Chapter locations for community service, anti-poverty initiatives, Habitat for
Humanity.
– 18 –
Please rate the likelihood that you would attend a
community service event during:
Communication and Inclusion
– 19 –
On what social media networks are you already
connected to McMaster?
Other: Email, Google+, Daily News RSS, none of the above.
– 20 –
What is the most effective way for us to tell you about
events, resources and news for young alumni?
Other: Have an attention-grabbing subject line, snail mail, quarterly or once-per-semester
email.
– 21 –
Please select the functions that you would use on a
young alumni website:
Other: Connect to McMaster Library catalogue, job postings for alumni, order transcripts,
sports, alumni database of local professionals.
– 22 –
Do you agree with this statement:
“I am satisfied with the diversity of young alumni
programming at McMaster.”?
Comments: More science alumni events, more young alumni international events, more financial
industry events, more regional events, more information about current programming.
– 23 –
What does social inclusion meant to you?
What can we do to be more inclusive?
*More than 700 alumni answered this question.
“For me, social inclusion means
addressing and celebrating all social
backgrounds and beliefs. You are
doing a great job in the social inclusion
department, keep it up!”
“Social inclusion fosters an
environment where people from any
place or culture can connect… making
things available online would assist
greatly in reaching a greater
demographic.”
“Have different kinds of
events targeted at alumni in
different fields.”
“To be more inclusive, continue to
keep up the variety of events
organized and offered through the
alumni program (e.g. a mix of various
social, educational, community
events). Social inclusion means being
able to engage a diverse group of
people and reach those you have not
yet been able to reach.”
“Making social events and activities
accessible to all.”
“Social Inclusion means programming
that takes into consideration the
diversity of cultural backgrounds of the
attendees. Some individuals from
cultural backgrounds don't drink
alcohol, for example, and therefore
would feel alienated if attending a pub
night or club night.”
“Recognize that all of your new alumni
are not "young." Many of us come
back in our forties etc.”
“I don't understand the point of an
alumni association when absolutely
nobody from McMaster's staff of
deans, presidents, and other well-
paid suits ever reached out to
"include me" during my actual time
at McMaster.”
“What social inclusion means
to me is that although my 4
years of schooling at
McMaster University is over, I
will still feel a part of the
McMaster family and keep up
to date with what is going on at
McMaster as well as staying in
touch with my fellow alumni
and classmates.”
“Social inclusion means to welcome all
people. To be more inclusive, do not
isolate events to Hamilton/Toronto.
.”
“Host some diversity-focused events,
like U of T's LGBTQ-specific
programming, or talking about the
glass ceiling in workplaces, etc. Don't
be afraid to address the issues head
on in a relaxed, social atmosphere. It
works!”
“Social inclusion should also
involve alumni's spouse / family.”
“Social inclusion means feeling
represented within a social programme
or network. The alumni magazine
seems to cater to and reflect older
alumni cohorts ... would be great to see
a young alumni specific webpage with
links, stories and profiles that are more
relevant to younger alumni cohorts.“
“Culturally significant and relevant
programs would be extremely
appealing.”
Final Thoughts
– 24 –
What makes you proud to be a McMaster grad?
*More than 1,300 alumni answered this question.
(including hundreds who mentioned our Vanier Cup win!)
“McMaster focuses on providing a meaningful
undergraduate experience and has a great reputation.“
“Through the people and the professors
I’ve met, McMaster has really shaped
my perspective on life and my career.”
“I’m proud to be a McMaster grad, not
only because of its excellent reputation
in Canada and worldwide, but because
of the experiences, knowledge and
friendships I gained while attending the
university contributed immensely to my
own personal growth and development.“
“VANIER CUP!!!“
“McMaster’s beautiful campus.“
“Experiential
education.“
“More than simple knowledge about
technical issues, McMaster taught me
to think. Life isn’t about knowing one’s
way around, it is about reasoning with
situations and people.“
“We’re internationally known for
problem-based learning and
healthcare education.“
“Being a female graduate from one
of the best engineering faculties in
Canada and one of the nicest and
coziest universities I know.“
“Knowing that the education I had was by
the best, and that the future of McMaster is
moving towards students and research.“
“I’m proud when I see
McMaster making more
of an effort to have a
positive impact on
Hamilton and the
community surrounding
the school.“
“It is always a home away from home!.“
“The difference McMaster researchers,
alumni and students make to the
broader community.”
“Viewing accomplishments by
McMaster students and faculty
in national media.“
“Coming from a socially responsible,
accountable institution, with fellow grads
who are socially responsible and engaged.“
“Being a McMaster grad is what got me my job today, and its
distinctive reputation as a school with a strong community
and culture of collaboration.”
“It’s a school where you’re
happy to meet a fellow grad
because you’ll have similar
stories to enjoy and likely have
only six degrees of separation.“
“I am proud that I obtained my degree
locally in Hamilton and work in Hamilton.
Many of my friends fled to Toronto for
school or work because of the Hamilton
steel city stereotypes. I can now truly
appreciate this city and all its hidden
gems thanks to my time spent at Mac.“
“I am proud to be a Mac grad
because I know all of the wonderful
ways McMaster gives back to the
community through innovations in
health care, engineering and the arts.
McMaster has a wonderfully
welcoming atmosphere and whenever
I am on campus again, I still feel that
pride for the school.“
– 25 –
At this point in your life and career,
what is the most valuable event or resource that the
Alumni Office can offer you?
*More than 1,200 alumni answered this question.
“Time management
and stress reduction.“
“Tools for the proper use of money and
budgeting. Ideas for saving for the
future, investment opportunities, etc.“
“How to reconnect with my
teachers and mentors.“
“Networking! Networking! Networking!”
“Events and resources that encourage us to make
a difference in the world and the lives of others.“
“Career resources tailored to arts majors.“
“Athletic alumni fundraiser.“
“Engaging opportunities for lifelong
learning – a strong panel discussion on
current issues, for example. Also,
exclusive opportunities – alumni tour of
a museum, etc.“
“Mock job interviews for people who want
to pursue additional professional schools
or work. This would be a valuable tool,
especially using alumni in a specific field
to run the mock interview.“
“An up-to-date website with
diverse , faculty-specific content.“
“Access to McMaster Library online.“
“Free dinners and events... I’m broke.“
“Thoughtful seminars, lectures and
workshops about major events in the world.“
“The alumni magazine is a great
way to keep up with what is going
on at the University.“
“I think a lot of graduates would
appreciate extra support for career
planning, either for graduate schools
(how to apply, how to find funding, etc.)
or professional development (job
searching, resume building, interview
skills, connecting to internships or other
opportunities). These resources may
already be available, but perhaps
people would appreciate more creative
events or outreach.“
“Mentorship programs and perhaps
a way to show alumni jobs that
might be available in each field.“
“Discounts on travel would be nice.“
“Library resources,
webinars, podcasts, etc.“
“Perhaps create some kind of
knowledge sharing network. As a
fresh graduate who is starting his
career, I find it very helpful when I
can call someone who has
walked a similar path before me.“
“Contact with alumni abroad, or alumni
involved in entrepreneurial activities.“
“Retirement planning.“
“Volunteer opportunities.“
“Local alumni association.“
“Job search skills and job fairs.“
“Outreach to local industry and Hamilton economic development office
to ensure that grads don’t have to relocate and/or undergo an extreme
commuting lifestyle in order to launch their careers.“
“Industry-specific networking.“
“Online continuous learning activities,
how-to videos, etc.
“A meaningful way to contribute to the University
(other than simply giving money).“
“Golf lessons.”
“Dance lessons.”
“A LinkedIn recommendation.“
“Outside-the-box skills/training.“
– 26 –
We are always looking for new venues, topics and
experts for our events. Please use this space to
describe any ideas you have for a young alumni event.
*More than 300 alumni answered this question.
The path from Kinesiology to
Chiropractic College
Integrative chronic pain
Monthly dinner at a different
restaurant in Toronto
Overseas teaching experience
Canadian Forces health
Gemology research
Importance of intellectual property
and commercial law to young
academics and entrepreneurs
Future of education, public school
system
Queen’s Park event
Public engagement and the
McMaster Health Forum
Health and wellness fair
The business of private health care
provision
Focus group for young alumni
chaired by veteran alumni in different
careers
RIM mechanical engineer
presentation
Changing state of mental health
services in Canada
Saturday service learning
How to start up a business
Networking tactics, personal
branding, leadership, career growth
Effective engagement with clients in
addiction field
The Year in Research@Mac
Pediatric surgeon
Leadership development
City-building
Innovation conference or workshop
(like MaRS)
Financial freedom and how to retire
successfully
Mortgages, rate trends
“How money works”
Poetry slam
Concerts
Art Bus trip with The Pearl Company
Event at Hamilton Place Studio,
AGH, Workers Arts and Heritage
Toastmasters session
Young alumni showcase of
community contributions
Human rights past and present
First nations health
Staying healthy over 30
Career Q & A for different fields
Global maternal, newborn and child
health
LIUNA station event
Naturopathic doctor
Importance of environmental
planning and sustainability in today’s
society and the future
Real estate investment
Humanistic and civilizational Islamic
studies
Invite agencies in the community,
not-for-profits and community
leaders to social alumni events
Outdoor recreation trip
Winery tour
Canadian tour to bring Mac outside
of Hamilton to grads in other cities
International marketing
Ballroom dancing
Spirituality
Opportunities in public relations
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
Communication and negotiating
skills
Innovations in economic
development at home and in the
developing world
Thank you to everyone who participated!