First Destination Survey

Congrats, Upcoming Graduates! Tell us what’s next!

Congrats on nearing graduation! As you prepare to transition to the next phase of your life, we ask that you take a few minutes to complete the First Destination Survey (FDS) via Handshake. Your responses are vital—they help us understand your post-graduation success and inform how we support future students.

The First Destination Survey collects information about your plans after graduation.

  • Employed (Full-time, Part-time)
  • Continuing Education (Graduate or Professional School)
  • Military Service
  • Volunteer/Service Program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps)

This information is valuable to current and future students, as well as academic departments, advisors, and parents/families of prospective students.

We encourage you to complete your First Destination Survey as soon as you finalize your post-graduation plans (employment, continuing education, military, or volunteer service), even if it is months before graduation. If you are one month or less away from graduation, or have already graduated, please complete your survey immediately via Handshake.

We publish and share student outcomes data, but your responses are kept confidential. We only publish aggregate data (totals group by majors, colleges, and the overall university). We never publish individual names or responses.

The survey takes only 2–3 minutes to complete!

We encourage you to complete the First Destination Survey Form as soon as you finalize your post-graduation plans (employment, continuing education, military, or volunteer service), even if it is months before graduation.

If you are one month or less away from graduation, or have already graduated, please complete your survey immediately via Handshake. You will need your UCM student credentials to log in to Handshake.

It’s perfectly fine if you haven’t finalized your plans yet!

Handshake will follow up with you via email at least five times after graduation to check on your status.

Additionally, the Career and Life Design Center will contact you by phone six months after graduation. This follow-up allows us to update our records and ensure you still have access to any career resources you may require.

If you have trouble accessing the survey, are unsure what to report, or need assistance with your job search/grad school applications, please contact the Career and Life Design Center! We are here to support your journey.