Socio-demographic situation and level of satisfaction with the training of graduates of a private university in the city of Manizales, Colombia

Abstract

This research aims at analyzing the socio-demographic situation, the level of satisfaction regarding the mastery of skills and the degree of institutional identity of graduates. The methodology had a descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective scope. 2038 graduates between 2008 and 2012 and who belonged to the health, engineering and social and business studies faculties participated in this research. They did a survey at the moment of their graduation. The results showed that most of the graduates from the engineering faculty were men, and there was a higher rate of singleness within the three faculties. The mastery of skills related to the satisfactory use of information gathered the highest percentage within the three faculties, whereas competences to identify and use symbols to communicate showed a lower percentage. In relation to facilities, the lowest satisfaction percentage was to sports and artistic locations, whereas the highest was for the library and computer rooms. More than 79% are satisfied with the academic training, theoretical foundations and interpersonal relationships with professors, while a smaller proportion are satisfied with fieldwork. Over 75% of graduates from the three faculties would come back to study at institution, mainly due to its quality in training. As a conclusion, graduates report to have identity with the institution. This is evident through the percentages of satisfaction with skills development, professors, physical resources and some facilities.