Central Penn College Graduate Success Rate Increases

SUMMERDALE, Pa. - July 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Based on Central Penn College’s most recent One-Year Graduate Survey, 87.8% of the college’s graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation, a 5.9 percentage rate increase from the year prior.

“I believe the increase is indicative of Central Penn College’s focus on providing a professional, career-focused education and preparing its students for the true workforce experience,” says Career Services Director Steve Hassinger. “We consider this to be our report card; rather than report on the number of graduates who have found employment, we point back to our mission and focus on the number of graduates who are actually working in their chosen field or continuing their education.”

Central Penn’s mission is to provide an education that prepares its graduates to obtain employment or advancement in their chosen field, continue their education and be contributing members of society.

“Central Penn measures its success by the success of its graduates,” explains Hassinger.

The One-Year Graduate Survey results were published on July 3, summarizing the employment information of 326 of 343 alumni who graduated between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. The college’s career services team used various methods to gather employment information, including: written, phone and email surveys, social networking sites, Internet searches, contacting relatives, accessing various other databases on campus, surveying faculty/staff, and contacting other alumni.

Examples of some of the organizations where graduates are working are: Select Medical Corporation, Foot Locker, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Highmark, the Department of Defense, Ahold USA, Dauphin County Children & Youth Services and PHEAA. Of the 52, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) graduates, 71 percent are working as PTAs in the midstate. Of the graduates continuing their education, Central Penn graduates are attending Boston University, Widener University, Penn State University and Shippensburg University, among others.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to the program champions of the college,” says Hassinger. “They have been instrumental in offering support and assistance to graduates.”  

The career services team offers lifetime career assistance to graduates, and follows a detailed communications plan with recent graduates to help them find career success. Services provided include mock interviews, resume and cover letter building, online listings of available positions, job fairs, networking events, alumni mentors, and more. Questions about career services can be directed to Steve Hassinger at stevehassinger@centralpenn.edu or 717-728-2262.