CAREER OUTCOMES
Graduating Student Survey
As part of a university-wide initiative, the Graduating Student Survey captures first-destination outcomes for Illinois State University graduates whether they pursue employment, advanced education, or other post-graduation pathways. The collected data is available by academic program, college, and institution-wide, providing valuable insights into the career trajectories of Redbird alumni.
This information supports institutional planning and assessment, while also serving as a resource for current and prospective students exploring career options within their fields of interest.
SteppingBlocks
In addition to the Graduating Student Survey, the University launched a campus-wide initiative to implement SteppingBlocks, a powerful data platform that offers advanced insights into alumni career outcomes.
This tool allows users to:
- Access high-level demographic, geographic, and employment data
- Identify trends by major, graduation year, employer, and location
- Explore earning outcomes, employers, job locations, and career paths
- Quantify and communicate the value of an Illinois State University degree
SteppingBlocks supports data-informed decision-making across campus and serves as a valuable resource for students, faculty, and administrators in understanding the real-world impact of academic programs.
Sample of SteppingBlocks Data
Madoka Kakizoe, hired for a full-time position in Bloomington
Mitch Tarnocki, hired as a part-time program coordinator
Pharomphai “Paris” Thammarat, hired as an intern
Wyatt Gotter, hired as management trainee at Sherman-Williams
Looking Ahead: Expanding Career Exploration Opportunities
Career Services is committed to making career preparation more accessible and impactful for students. Get ready for the next level of excellence as we expand our career exploration resources and experiences. In the coming year, Career Services will officially launch SteppingBlocks Digital Career Counselor offering innovative, data-driven tools to support student career planning.
We also look forward to introducing industry-specific employer site visits that provide students with firsthand insights into diverse work environments and career paths. We invite our campus partners to join us in shaping these impactful experiences for students.
Just for You: Career Outcomes Webpage
Career Services is collaborating with Web and Interactive Communications to launch a new Career Outcomes webpage. This dynamic online resource will showcase valuable data on where Redbirds go after graduation, highlighting their career paths, advanced education pursuits, industries, and geographic locations. Current and prospective students, faculty, and other stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the real-world impact of an Illinois State University degree.
