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Graduating Students and Recent Alumni,

As you take your next steps after graduation, we invite you to share your post-graduation plans by completing the After the Mount Graduating Student Survey. This brief survey helps Mount St. Joseph University understand the career outcomes of our graduates—whether you’re employed, continuing your education, or still exploring opportunities.

All information you provide is confidential and reported only in aggregate by school and major. The survey remains open for about six months after graduation, and you can update your information as often as needed.

Your participation matters. The insights you share help us:

  • Highlight the achievements of MSJ graduates.
  • Provide current and future students with real examples of life After the Mount.
  • Strengthen our career services and support programs.
  • Meet important reporting requirements and share accurate data with the Mount Community.

The After the Mount Survey is hosted on Handshake. Click your graduation date below and enter your MSJ email address to get started. (No need to have active access to your MSJ email account—just use the address you had as a student.)

Please fill out the survey if you are:

  • Still seeking a job or graduate program – Select “still seeking” and the Career Center will reach out to offer individualized support.
  • Not currently looking – Choose “not seeking” and share your current plans.
  • Employed or continuing education – Let us know where you’re working or studying.

Providing salary information is strongly encouraged but optional, and all data remains confidential.

We are proud of your achievements and look forward to celebrating your success. To explore additional career resources and alumni career support, visit the Career and Experiential Education Center (CEEC) webpage. Your input helps shape the future of the Mount Community—thank you for taking a few minutes to share your story.

To complete the survey, please select your graduation date from the options below: 

      aug. 2024   Dec. 2024   May 2025   Aug. 2025   Dec. 2025   May 2026 

(No need to have active access to your MSJ email account--just use the address you had as a student. If you are having issues with the Handshake links, you can also take the survey via this Survey Monkey link.)

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About the After the Mount Survey

Mount St. Joseph University conducts the After the Mount Survey, our version of the national First Destination Survey (FDS), each year to track the post-graduation outcomes of recent graduates. This survey helps us understand whether alumni are employed, pursuing further education, or exploring other opportunities after completing their degrees. For graduates who are working, we also collect general details about their employer, job title, and salary range.

The survey is administered by the Career and Experiential Education Center (CEEC) in alignment with standards established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). NACE aggregates similar data from more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide, creating a comprehensive overview of graduate outcomes across institutions. Learn more about their national guidelines and data here.

The After the Mount Survey also gives graduates an opportunity to recognize MSJ faculty or staff members who have made a meaningful impact on their career development and decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

  What is the After the Mount Survey?

The After the Mount Survey is the Mount's implementation of the national First Destination Survey (FDS), organized by NACE. It collects information about graduates’ career and education outcomes within six months of graduation. Students complete the survey through Handshake.

  Why does the Mount participate in the FDS?
The University uses survey data to support graduates in their career journeys and highlight their accomplishments. For those who have secured post-graduation plans, the results help celebrate their success within the Mount Community. For those still exploring options, the data helps guide advising, career planning, and additional support.
  What is NACE’s role in the FDS?

NACE sets national standards for how the survey is conducted and provides a central source for aggregated national data on graduate outcomes. You can find detailed resources and research reports on NACE’s website here.

  What is the Mount's role in the FDS?

The Mount oversees the administration of the survey, including promotion, outreach, data collection, analysis, and reporting. The university aims to achieve a minimum 65 percent response rate to ensure accurate and meaningful results.

  How does the Mount encourage students to complete the survey?

The CEEC invites students to participate through automated emails beginning one month before graduation and additional outreach from faculty and staff partners. All individual responses remain confidential and are only shared in aggregate form outside the University.

  What if a student hasn’t secured a job or graduate school placement yet?

No problem—students should still complete the survey. This information helps the CEEC identify who may benefit from continued career support. Graduates can contact the CEEC at Career.Center@msj.edu to schedule a meeting with a career advisor.