Success After College Graduation
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.	Success After College Graduation  (page 1 of 2)	
A survey by Gallup of 30,000 college graduates showed that type of colleg
e students attend — Ivy League 
college, large public university, or small private college — matters less than what students experien
ce in 
college.  After graduation, happiness at work and in life depend more upon SUPPORT of professors and 
DEEP LEARNING experiences of students during college years.  Workers who feel happy are the most 
productive workers and successful in life.  Exactly which college experi
ences lead to happy people and 
productive workers?  "Strongly Agree" answers to the following statement were 
predictor of happiness, productivity, and success in life after college graduation:
SUPPORT:  Can you Strongly Agree with these statement?
• 	I had at least one professor at college who made me excited about learni
ng.	
• 	My professors at college cared about me as a person.	
• 	I had a mentor who encouraged me to pursue my goals and dreams	
DEEP LEARNING:  Can you Strongly Agree wth these statements?
• 	I worked on a project that took a semester or more to complete.	
• 	I had an internship or job that allowed me to apply what I was learning 
in the classroom.	
• 	I was active in extracurricular college clubs, groups, and sports while 
attending college.	
Unfortunately, only 14% of surveyed graduates strongly agree they were supported by p
rofessors who 
cared; who made them excited about learning; and who encouraged their dr
eams.  Only 6% of graduates 
strongly agree they had an internship or job that allowed them to apply 
what they were learning; worked on 
a project that took a semester or more to complete; and were involved in
 extra-curricular activities.
The Gallup survey was designed by former Governor Mitch Daniels who beca
me president of Purdue 
University.  He was frustrated over the lack of data to measure the value of a col
lege degree.  Daniels 
decided to apply "well-being questions," used in other surveys, to colle
ge graduates.  Daniels said, "there is 
a lot we don’t know about education, and a college may be skating on its reputation. 
 We need to know how 
well the college experience is serving people."
This Gallup survey shows that it is very important for college students to make the effort to:  
1) connect with positive professors in the major; 2) become involved in long-term projects related to 
the major; and 3) become involved in college activities.
COLLEGE DEBT:	  The Gallup survey also found that future happiness is related to 	
college debt.  Today, almost 75% of college students graduate with college debt.  
Average amount of college debt is $37,500.  Graduates with $37,500 of col
lege debt 
were 33% less likely to report they are succeeding in work and in life 	than graduates 	
without college debt.  Another relationship was found between college debt and 
entrepreneurship (starting a business).  About 26% of college graduates without 
college debt started their own business compared to only 20% of graduate
s with 
$20,000 to $40,000 college debt.  Why do you think that college debt prevents college 
graduates from starting their own businesses?

Success After College Graduation (page 2 of 2)	
1. What did the Gallup survey show?
2. After graduation, happiness at work and in life 	
depend more upon what 2 things?	
3. Who are the most productive workers and 
 successful in life?
4. Write down one SUPPORT question.  
5. Write down one DEEP LEARNING question.
6. What percent of college graduates strongly 	
agree that they were supported by professors?	
7. What percent of graduates strongly agree that 	
they had internship or job that allowed them to 	
 apply what they were learning?
8. a) Who designed this Gallup survey? b) What 	
did Daniels say we needed to know?	
9. What 3 things does this survey show that 
 college students need to make efforts to do?
10. a) What percent of students graduate with debt?  	
 b) What is the average amount of college debt?
 c) What were college graduates with $37,500  	
of college 33% less likely to report?	
11.	 Briefly,	define	the	word	"thriving."
12. a) What was top reason why college graduates 	
report thriving in life?  b) What was second 
reason?  c) What was third reason?	
13. Which 2 majors report highest percent of 
 thriving in their jobs?
14. a) What is the average student loan payment?  	
In the past 30 years, how much did tuition rise 
for — b) Public colleges.  c) Private colleges?  	
15. a) If you are offered an internship (unpaid) that 	
does not relate to your major, do you think you 
should accept it?  b) Give a reason why.	
16. Using your opinion, why does college debt 	
cause unhappiness after graduation?	
17. List 2 things you can do to avoid college debt.	
QUICK CHECK:	
Thriving:
To make steady 
progress; to grow; 
to gain in wealth; go 
towards or realize a 
goal in spite of or as 
a result of obstacles; 
to be successful; to 
prosper; fortunate.	
Source: Wall Street Journal
COLLEGE LOAN — DEBT — MONEY YOU MUST PAY BACK
Average monthly student loan payment after college graduation is $393
Public 4 year colleges raised their tuition by $6,870 in the past 30 yea
rs — about $229 per year
Private 4 year college raised their tuition by $18,820 in the past 30 ye
ars   — about $627 per year
29%	of	families	did	not	apply	for	federal	financial	aide	(FAFSA)	thereby	missing	out	on	free	money
Average	student	debt	is	$37,500.		This	money	could	have	bought	an	 Audi	A4,	Tesla	Model	3,	Ford	F-250,	
swimming pool, fancy wedding, start-up expense for a new business, or do
wn payment on a home.	
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