OMB No.: 3145-0077
Approval Expires: 2/28/00

1997 National Survey of Recent College Graduates

This information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. All information you provide will be treated as confidential and used only for research or statistical purposes by the survey sponsors, their contractors, and collaborating researchers for the purpose of analyzing data and preparing scientific reports and articles. Any information publicly released (such as statistical summaries) will be in a form that does not personally identify you. Your response is voluntary and failure to provide some or all of the requested information will not in any way adversely affect you. Actual time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending on your circumstances. On the average, it will take about 25 minutes to complete the questionnaire. If you have any comments on the time required for this survey, please send them to Gail McHenry, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB number for this project is 3145-0077.
Conducted by:
Westat, Rockville, MD for the National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA

INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for taking the time to complete this important questionnaire. Directions for filling it out are provided with each question. Because not all questions will apply to everyone, you may be asked to skip certain questions.

In order to get comparable data, we will be asking you to refer to the week of April 15, 1997 (i.e., April 13-April 19, 1997) when answering most questions.
Follow all "SKIP" instructions after marking a box. If no "SKIP" instruction is provided, you should continue to the next question.
Either a pen or pencil may be used.
When answering questions that require marking a box, please use an [X].
If you need to change an answer, please make sure that your old answer is either completely erased or clearly crossed out.
You may notice that some question numbers are not consecutive. This was done to maintain consistency with previous survey cycles. Please answer questions in the order they are printed except when following a "SKIP" instruction.

Thanks again for your help. We really appreciate it.

PART A - Education

A1.

In what year did you receive your high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate?

YEAR: 19 ___ ___ OR [ ] Did not finish high school

A2.

In what state or foreign country did you last attend high school?

State: _________________________________OR
Foreign Country: ____________________________

A3.

Have you ever taken courses at a community college?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to A4X)

A4.

(IF YES) For which of the following reasons have you taken courses at a community college?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

b. As part of a high school advanced placement (AP) program

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. To prepare for college/increase chances of being accepted into college

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. To complete an associate's degree

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. To complete credits toward a bachelor's degree

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. To gain further skills or knowledge in your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

g. To change your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

h. To increase opportunities for promotion, advancement, or higher salary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

i. For leisure or personal interest

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

j. For financial reasons (e.g., 4-year college too expensive, needed the money for other priorities)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

k. Other ? Specify: _____________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A4X.

Do you have a 2-year associate's degree?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

A5.

When you first entered college to begin working on a bachelor's degree, in what field of study did you want to major?

[ ] MARK (X) THIS BOX IF YOU WERE UNDECIDED AND THEN SKIP TO A7
MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY: __________________________________________

A6.

Using the EDUCATION CODES (LIST A: pp. 18-19) choose the code that best describes your first intended major.

CODE ___ ___ ___
NOTE: Education codes range from 601 to 995

A7.

Using a 4-point scale, what was your overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA)?
IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE BACHELOR'S DEGREE: Give your overall grade point average for your first bachelor's degree.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] 3.75 - 4.00 GPA (Mostly A's)
2 [ ] 3.25 - 3.74 GPA (About half A's/half B's)
3 [ ] 2.75 - 3.24 GPA (Mostly B's)
4 [ ] 2.25 - 2.74 GPA (About half B's/half C's)
5 [ ] 1.75 - 2.24 GPA (Mostly C's)
6 [ ] 1.25 - 1.74 GPA (About half C's/half D's)
7 [ ] Less than 1.25 (Mostly D's or below)
8 [ ] Have not taken courses for which grades were given

A10.

How many college or university degrees do you have at the bachelor's level or higher?

NUMBER ______________

A10a.

In what month and year did you first enroll in a course offered by a college or other postsecondary institution for which you received credit towards your first bachelor's degree? This may be at the institution that granted your degree, or at another institution.

Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

A11.

Starting with your most recent college or university degree, please provide the following information for each degree you have at the bachelor's level or higher.
If more than 3 relevant degrees, complete the grid for your two most recent degrees and your first bachelor's degree.

MOST RECENT DEGREE

a. From which college/university and department did you receive this degree?

____________________________________________________
(College/University Name)
______________________________________________________
(Department)
_______________________________________________________
(City/Town)
_______________________________________________________
(State/Foreign Country)

b. In what month and year was this degree awarded?

Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

c. What type of degree did you receive?
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Bachelor's
2 [ ] Master's (includes MBA)
3 [ ] Doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., D.S.C., D.Sc., Ed.D)
4 [ ] Other professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, ThD, MD, DDS, etc.) ? Specify ___________________________
91 [ ] Other ? Specify: ________________________________

d. Using the EDUCATION CODES (LIST A: pp. 18-19), select the relevant degree field code(s) and title(s)

MAJOR FIELD: ___________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___
SECOND MAJOR OR MINOR: ________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___

e. From which of the following sources, if any, did you receive financial support for this degree?
Mark (X) all that apply

g [ ] Financial support from parents/spouse/other relatives, not to be repaid
a [ ] Loans from the school you attended, banks, federal or state government
b [ ] Loans from parents or other relatives
c [ ] Financial assistance from your employer
d [ ] Tuition waivers, fellowships, grants, scholarships
e [ ] Assistantships/Work Study
f [ ] Earnings from employment
h [ ] Other ? Specify: _________________________

2ND MOST RECENT DEGREE

a. From which college/university and department did you receive this degree?

b. In what month and year was this degree awarded?

Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

c. What type of degree did you receive?
Mark (X) ONLY one

d. Using the EDUCATION CODES (LIST A: pp. 18-19), select the relevant degree field code(s) and title(s)

MAJOR FIELD: ___________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___
SECOND MAJOR OR MINOR: ________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___

e. From which of the following sources, if any, did you receive financial support for this degree?
Mark (X) all that apply

1ST BACHELOR'S DEGREE (If not previously reported)

a. From which college/university and department did you receive this degree?

b. In what month and year was this degree awarded?

Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

c. What type of degree did you receive?
Mark (X) ONLY one

d. Using the EDUCATION CODES (LIST A: pp. 18-19), select the relevant degree field code(s) and title(s)

MAJOR FIELD: ___________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___
SECOND MAJOR OR MINOR: ________________________
CODE ___ ___ ___

e. From which of the following sources, if any, did you receive financial support for this degree?
Mark (X) all that apply

For questions A12a and A12c, include the total amount borrowed from ALL sources, (e.g., government, private lenders, parents, relatives, friends). Include loans that have been repaid or forgiven. If your loans were consolidated, please estimate how much was borrowed for your undergraduate degrees and how much was borrowed for your graduate degrees.

A12a.

Thinking about only the undergraduate degrees you completed before May 1997, what is the total amount you have borrowed from any source to finance your undergraduate degree(s)?

$___________________.00 OR [ ] NONE (SKIP to A12c)

A12b.

(IF ANY) As of the week of April 15, 1997 how much of this undergraduate amount did you still owe?

$___________________.00 OR [ ] NONE

A12c.

Thinking about only the graduate degrees you completed before May 1997, what is the total amount you have borrowed from any source to finance your graduate degree(s)?

0 [ ] MARK (X) THIS BOX IF NO GRADUATE DEGREES, AND THEN SKIP TO A13_1
$__________________________ OR [ ] NONE (SKIP to A13_1)

A12d.

(IF ANY) As of the week of April 15, 1997 how much of this graduate amount did you still owe?

$________________________.00 OR [ ] NONE

Questions A13_1 through A21a ask about college or university courses you may have taken since completing your most recent degree.

A13_1.

Have you completed a degree since the week of April 15, 1997?

1 [ ] Yes (SKIP to A21a, page 4)
2 [ ] No

A13.

Between completing your most recent degree and the week of April 15, 1997, did you take any college or university courses or enroll in a college or university for any other reason, such as completing a master's, PhD, medical, or law degree?

1 [ ] Yes (SKIP to A18, page 4)
2 [ ] No

A14.

Which of the following were reasons why you were not enrolled or taking college courses during that time period?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

1. You had achieved your educational goals (at least temporarily)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. You were waiting for the next school term to start

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Financial reasons (e.g., too expensive, needed the money for other priorities)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Had a job, needed to work

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Had to stop due to family responsibilities (e.g., caring for children or other family members, had a baby)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Moved, could no longer take courses at the school you were attending

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. No longer certain of which field of study you wanted to pursue

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Needed a break, tired of going to school

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Other ? Specify: __________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A14a.

Which two reasons marked in A14 represent your most important reasons for not taking college courses during that time period? Enter number of appropriate reason from A14 above.

1. _____ MOST important reason
2. _____ SECOND MOST important reason (Enter "0" if only one reason selected in A14.)

A15.

Have you taken any college or university courses since the week of April 15, 1997?

1 [ ] Yes (SKIP to A25, page 5)
2 [ ] No

A16.

(IF NO) How likely is it that you will one day take additional college or university courses?
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Very likely (SKIP to A25, page 5)
2 [ ] Somewhat likely (SKIP to A25, page 5)
3 [ ] Very unlikely (SKIP to A25, page 5)

A18.

What was your primary field of study between completing your most recent degree and the week of April 15, 1997?

[ ] MARK (X) THIS BOX IF NO PRIMARY FIELD OF STUDY AND THEN SKIP TO A20
PRIMARY FIELD OF STUDY: ____________________________________________

A19.

Using the EDUCATION CODES (LIST A: pp. 18-19) choose the code that best describes your primary field of study during that time.

CODE ___ ___ ___
NOTE: Education codes range from 601 to 995

A18a.

In which college or university department were you primarily taking classes or doing research (for example, English, chemistry)?

DEPARTMENT: _________________________________________________________

A20.

During that time, toward what degree or certificate, if any, were you (or are you) working?
IF WORKING ON MORE THAN ONE DEGREE: Mark the highest level.
Mark (X) ONLY one

0 [ ] No specific degree or certificate
1 [ ] Bachelor's degree
2 [ ] Post-baccalaureate certificate
3 [ ] Master's degree (including MBA)
4 [ ] Post master's certificate
5 [ ] Doctorate (Ph.D., D.S.C, D.Sc., Ed.D.)
6 [ ] Other professional degree (JD, LLB, ThD, MD, DDS, etc.) - Specify
91 [ ] Other - Specify

A21.

From which of these sources did you receive financial support for coursework or enrollment between completing your most recent degree and April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

g. Financial support from parents/spouse/other relatives, not to be repaid

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

a. Loans from the school you attended, banks, federal or state government

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. Loans from parents or other relatives

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Financial assistance from your employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Tuition waivers, fellowships, grants, or scholarships

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. Assistantships/Work Study

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. Earnings from employment

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

h. Other ? Specify: ____________________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A21a.

For which of the following reasons were you taking classes or enrolled during that time?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. To gain further education before beginning a career

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. To prepare for graduate school

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. To change your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. To gain further skills or knowledge in your academic or occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. For licensure or certification

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. To increase opportunities for promotion, advancement, or higher salary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

g. Required or expected by employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

h. For leisure or personal interest

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

i. Other ? Specify: _____________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

A22.

More specifically, during the week of April 15, 1997, were you either taking college or university courses or enrolled for other reasons such as completing a master's, PhD, medical, or law degree?
MARK "YES": If you were enrolled in school but on vacation that week.

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to A25)

A23.

(IF YES) What college or university were you attending during the week of April 15, 1997? Please do not abbreviate the school name.

School Name: _________________________________________
City/Town: ____________________________________________
State/Foreign Country: ___________________________________

A24.

Were you taking courses as . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A part-time student
2 [ ] A full-time student

A25.

Thinking ahead to the future, what is the highest degree you ever expect to complete? If your current highest degree is the highest degree you expect to complete, please answer for that degree.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Bachelor's
2 [ ] Master's (includes MBA)
3 [ ] Doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., D.S.C., D.Sc., Ed.D.)
4 [ ] Other professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, ThD, MD, DDS, etc.) ? Specify: _________________________
91 [ ] Other- Specify: ______________________

PART B - Employment Status

B1.

At any time during the three months following the completion of your most recent degree, did you have what you considered to be a "career-path" job? For "most recent degree," please do not include any degrees awarded after April 1997.
A "career-path" job is a job that will help you in your future career plans or a job in the field in which you want to make your career.

1 [ ] Yes (SKIP to B2)
2 [ ] No

B1a.

At any time during that same three-month period, did you accept what you considered to be a "career-path" job?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B3)

B2.

(IF YES) When did you first start working for that employer?
IN THE ANSWER CATEGORIES BELOW: For "most recent degree," please do not include any degrees awarded after April 1997.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Before working on your most recent degree (SKIP TO B4, page 6)
2 [ ] While working on your most recent degree (SKIP TO B4, page 6)
3 [ ] After completing your most recent degree (SKIP TO B4, page 6)

B3.

(IF NO) At any time during that same three-month period were you seeking a "career-path" job?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

The next several questions are about your employment status during the reference week of April 13-19, 1997.

B4.

Were you working for pay (or profit) during the week of April 15, 1997? Please include self-employment and any jobs from which you were temporarily absent, for example, for illness, vacation, or parental leave (even if leave was unpaid).
STUDENTS: Count jobs required as part of a financial aid award, such as work study or assistantships. Do not count financial aid awards with no work requirement.

1 [ ] Yes (SKIP to B10)
2 [ ] No

B5.

(IF NO) Did you look for work during the four weeks preceding April 15, 1997 (that is, anytime between March 19 and April 15, 1997)?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

B6.

What were your reasons for not working during the week of April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Retired, Year Retired: 19 ___ ___

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. On layoff from a job

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Student

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Family responsibilities

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. Chronic illness or permanent disability

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. Suitable job not available

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

g. Did not need or want to work

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

h. Other ? Specify: ____________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B7.

Prior to the week of April 15, 1997, in what month and year did you last work for pay (or profit)?

[ ] MARK (X) THIS BOX IF NEVER WORKED FOR PAY (OR PROFIT) AND THEN SKIP TO PART D, PAGE 13
LAST WORKED
Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

B8.

What kind of work were you doing on this last job--that is, what was your occupation? Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.
EXAMPLE: High school teacher ? Math

________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

B9.

Using the JOB CODES (LIST B: pp. 20-21), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on this last job.

CODE ___ ___ ___ (SKIP to Part C, page 12)
NOTE: Job codes range from 010 to 500

B10.

(IF WORKING DURING WEEK OF APRIL 15) Counting all jobs you held during the week of April 15, 1997, was your typical work week 35 hours or more per week?

1 [ ] Yes, worked 35 or more hours (SKIP to shaded box, page 7)
2 [ ] No, worked less than 35 hours per week

B10a.

(IF LESS THAN 35 HOURS) During the week of April 15, 1997, did you want to work a full-time work week of 35 or more hours?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

B11.

(IF LESS THAN 35 HOURS) What were your reasons for working a part-time work week of less than 35 hours during the week of April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Retired or semi-retired, Year Retired: 19 ___ ___

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. Student

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Family responsibilities

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Chronic illness or permanent disability

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. Suitable full-time work week job not available

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. Did not need or want to work full time

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

g. Other ? Specify: ______________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

Please answer the next series of questions for your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1997, that is, the job in which you worked the most hours during the week of April 15, 1997. A second job, if held, will be covered later.

B12.

Which of the following categories best describes your employer during the week of April 15, 1997?
IF EMPLOYER WAS A SCHOOL: Mark (X) the type of organizational charter (e.g., mark "state government" for state schools or "local government" for schools run by the local school district. Most private schools are "private not-for-profit".).
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT company, business or individual, paying you wages, salary or commissions
2 [ ] A PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, tax-exempt, or charitable organization
3 [ ] SELF-EMPLOYMENT in own NOT INCORPORATED business, professional practice, or farm
4 [ ] SELF-EMPLOYMENT in own INCORPORATED business, professional practice, or farm
5 [ ] Local GOVERNMENT (e.g., city, county)
6 [ ] State GOVERNMENT
7 [ ] U.S. military service, active duty, or Commissioned Corps (e.g., USPHS, NOAA)
8 [ ] U.S. GOVERNMENT as a civilian employee
91 ~ Other ? Specify: _______________________________

B13.

Was your principal employer an educational institution?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B15a)

B13a.

(IF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION) Was this educational institution . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A preschool, elementary, or middle school or system (SKIP to B15b)
2 [ ] A secondary school or system (SKIP to B15b)
3 [ ] A 2-year college, junior college, or technical institute (SKIP to B15b)
4 [ ] A 4-year college or university, other than a medical school (SKIP to B15b)
5 [ ] A medical school (including university-affiliated hospital or medical center)
6 [ ] A university-affiliated research institute
91 [ ] Something else ? Specify: ________________________

B15a.

Thinking about your April 1997 employer's main business, (that is, what that employer makes or does), under which of the following categories does that employer's main business best fit?
IF PRINCIPAL EMPLOYER HAD MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF BUSINESS: Please answer for the type of business primarily performed at the location where you worked.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Agriculture, forestry, or fishing
2 [ ] Biotechnology
3 [ ] Construction or mining
4 [ ] Education
5 [ ] Finance, insurance or real estate services
6 [ ] Health services
7 [ ] Information technology or computer services
8 [ ] All other services (e.g., social, legal, business)
9 [ ] Manufacturing
10 [ ] Public administration/government
11 [ ] Research ? Specify: ___________________
12 [ ] Transportation services, utilities or communications
13 [ ] Wholesale or retail trade
91 [ ] Other ? Specify: _______________________

B15b.

Counting all locations where this employer operated, how many people worked for your April 1997 employer? Your best estimate is fine.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Under 10 employees
2 [ ] 10-24 employees
3 [ ] 25-99 employees
4 [ ] 100-499 employees
5 [ ] 500-999 employees
6 [ ] 1,000-4,999 employees
7 [ ] 5,000+ employees

B15c.

Did your April 1997 employer come into being as a new business within the past 5 years?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

B15d.

Who was your principal employer during the week of April 15, 1997?
IF MORE THAN ONE JOB: Record employer for whom you worked the most hours that week.
IF EMPLOYER HAD MORE THAN ONE LOCATION: Record location where you usually worked.

Employer Name: _____________________________
City or Town: ________________________________
State/Foreign Country: _________________________
ZIP Code: ___________________________________

The next several questions ask about some alternative or temporary working relationships that people may have with their employers.

B15e.

Did any of the following apply to your relationship with your principal employer during the week of April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Self-employed working as an independent contractor, independent consultant, free lance worker or otherwise self-employed

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. Your principal employer contracted out your services to other organizations (not including temporary help or employment agencies)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Working through a temporary help or employment agency

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Working on an "as needed", "seasonal" or short term basis

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

e. Job sharing

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

f. Working from home for 50 percent or more of your work time

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

g. Some other alternative or temporary working arrangement ? Specify: __________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B15e_1.

Did you answer "yes" to any of the categories in B15e?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B15h, page 9)

B15f.

(IF YES) What were your reasons for having an alternative or temporary work arrangement during the week of April 15, 1997?
For this study, being self-employed is considered an alternative working relationship.
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

1. Schedule flexibility

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Only type of work you could find

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. To gain experience that may lead to a permanent job

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Better pay

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Family-related reasons (e.g., children, spouse's job moved)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. In school or some type of training program

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Enjoy being your own boss

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Employer changed your status to temporary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Other ? Specify: _____________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B15g.

Which two factors in B15f represent your most important reasons for having an alternative or temporary working arrangement or being self-employed?
Enter the number of the appropriate reason from B15f above.

1. _____ MOST important reason
2. _____ SECOND MOST important reason (Enter "0" if only one reason selected in B15f.)

B15h.

If you could have any type of working arrangement you wanted, would your first choice be...
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A permanent job (either full time or part time), that is a job with no set end date
2 [ ] Being self-employed
3 [ ] Some other type of working arrangement ? Specify: ____________________

B15i.

Concerning your principal job during the week of April 15, 1997, were any of the following benefits available to you, even if you chose not to take them?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Health insurance that was at least partially paid by your employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. A pension plan or a retirement plan to which your employer contributed

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. A profit-sharing plan

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Paid vacation, sick or personal days

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B16.

What kind of work were you doing on your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1997--that is, what was your occupation?
Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.
EXAMPLE: High school teacher ? Math

_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

B17.

Using the JOB CODES (LIST B: pp, 20-21), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on your principal job during the week of April 15, 1997.

CODE ___ ___ ___
NOTE: Job codes range from 010 to 500

B17_1.

Did you record job code "141" (executive, manager, or administrator) in B17?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B19)

B18a.

(IF YES) Did your duties on this job require the technical expertise of a bachelor's degree or higher in . . .
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Engineering, computer science, math, or the natural sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. The social sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Some other field (e.g., health or business) ? Specify: _______________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B19.

During what month and year did you start this job, (that is, your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1997)?

JOB STARTED:
Month: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

B20.

As of the week of April 15, 1997, were you licensed or certified in your occupation? Do not include academic degrees (e.g., BA, MA, PhD).

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

B21.

Thinking about the relationship between your work and your education, to what extent was your work on your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1997, related to your highest degree field? For "highest degree", please do not include any degrees awarded after April 1997.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Closely related (SKIP to B24)
2 [ ] Somewhat related (SKIP to B24)
3 [ ] Not related

B22.

(IF NOT RELATED) Did any of these factors influence your decision to work in an area OUTSIDE THAT DEGREE FIELD?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

1. Pay or promotion opportunities

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Working conditions (e.g., hours, equipment, working environment)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Job location

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Change in career or professional interests

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Family-related reasons (e.g., children, spouse's job moved)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Job in field not available

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Other reason ? Specify: ___________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B23.

Which two factors in B22 represent your most important reasons for working in an area outside that degree field? Enter number of appropriate factor from B22 above.

1. _____ MOST important reason
2. _____ SECOND MOST important reason (Enter "0" if only one factor selected in B22.)

B24.

The next question is about your work activities on the principal job you held during the week of April 15, 1997. Which of the following work activities occupied 10 percent or more of your time during a typical work week on this job?
MARK (X) Yes or No for each

1. Accounting, finance, contracts

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. Applied research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge to meet a recognized need

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. Basic research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge primarily for its own sake

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. Computer applications, programming, systems development

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. Development - using knowledge gained from research for the production of materials, devices

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Design of equipment, processes, structures, models

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Employee relations ? including recruiting, personnel development, training

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

8. Managing and supervising

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

9. Production, operations, maintenance (e.g., truck driving, machine tooling, auto/machine repairing)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

10. Professional services (e.g., health care, counseling, financial services, legal services)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

11. Sales, purchasing, marketing, customer service, public relations

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

12. Quality or productivity management

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

13. Teaching

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

14. Other ? Specify: ____________________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

B25.

On which two activities in B24 did you work the most hours during a typical week on this job?
Enter number of appropriate activity from B24 above.

1. ___ ___ Activity MOST hours
2. ___ ___ Activity SECOND MOST hours (Enter "0" if only one activity selected in B24.)

B26.

Did you supervise the work of others as part of your principal job held during the week of April 15, 1997?
MARK "YES": If you assigned duties to workers and recommended or initiated personnel actions such as hiring, firing, or promoting.
TEACHERS: Do not count students.

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B28)

B27.

(IF YES) How many people did you typically . . .
IF NONE: Enter "0."

a. Supervise directly? _____ (Number Supervised)
b. Supervise through subordinate supervisors? _____ (Number Supervised)

B28.

Before deductions, what was your basic annual salary on this job as of the week of April 15, 1997? (Do not include bonuses, overtime, or additional compensation for summertime teaching or research.)
IF NOT SALARIED: Please estimate your earned income, excluding business expenses.
Include tips as part of salary.

$_______________________________.00
Basic Annual Salary/Earned Income

B29.

During a typical week on this job, how many hours did you usually work?

NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK _____

B29PAID.

And, for how many hours during a typical week were you paid?

NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK _____

B29WEEKS.

Was your salary based on a full year, that is, 52 weeks, or something less than 52 weeks?

1 [ ] 52 weeks (SKIP to B30)
2 [ ] Something else

B29a.

Including paid vacation and paid sick leave, on how many weeks per year was your salary based?

NUMBER OF WEEKS PER YEAR _____

B30.

During the week of April 15, 1997, was any of your work on this job supported by contracts or grants from the U.S. government?
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Please answer "No."
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to B32a, page 12)

B31.

(IF YES) Which Federal agencies or departments were supporting your work during the week of April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) all that apply

1 [ ] Agency for International Development (AID)
2 [ ] Agriculture Department
3 [ ] Commerce Department
4 [ ] Defense Department (DOD)
5 [ ] Department of Education (include NCES, OERI, FIPSE, FIRST)
6 [ ] Energy Department (DOE)
7 [ ] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
8 [ ] Health and Human Services Department (EXCLUDING NIH)
9 [ ] Interior Department
10 [ ] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
11 [ ] National Institutes of Health (NIH)
12 [ ] National Science Foundation (NSF)
13 [ ] Transportation Department (DOT)
91 [ ] Other ? Specify: _______________________________

B32a.

How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the job you held during the week of April 15, 1997?
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Very satisfied
2 [ ] Somewhat satisfied
3 [ ] Somewhat dissatisfied
4 [ ] Very dissatisfied

B35.

During the week of April 15, 1997, were you working for pay (or profit) at a second job (or business), including part-time, evening, or weekend work?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to Part C)

B36.

(IF YES) What kind of work were you doing on your second job during the week of April 15, 1997--that is, what was your occupation?
Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.
IF MORE THAN TWO JOBS THAT WEEK: Answer for the job at which you worked the second most hours.
EXAMPLE: High school teacher ? Math

_________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

B37.

Using the JOB CODES (LIST B: pp. 20-21), choose the code that best describes the work you were doing on your second job during the week of April 15, 1997.

CODE ___ ___ ___
NOTE: Job codes range from 010 to 500

B39.

To what extent was your work on this second job related to your highest degree field? For "highest degree," please do not include any degrees awarded after April 1997.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Closely related
2 [ ] Somewhat related
3 [ ] Not related

PART C - Other Work-Related Information

C2.

During the past year, did you attend any professional society or association meetings or conferences? Please include regional, national, or international meetings.

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No

C3.

To how many national or international professional societies or associations do you currently belong?

Number ___ ___ OR [ ] NONE

C4.

During the past year, did you attend any work-related workshops, seminars, or other work-related training activities? Do not include college courses.
Do not include professional meetings unless you attended a special training session conducted at a meeting or conference.

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to Part D, page 13)

C5.

(IF YES) During the past year, in which of the following areas did you attend work-related workshops, seminars, or other work-related training activities?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Management or supervisor training

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. Training in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. General professional training (e.g., public speaking, business writing)

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

d. Other work-related training ? Specify: __________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

C6.

For which of the following reasons did you attend training activities during the past year?
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

1. To facilitate a change in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

2. To gain further skills or knowledge in your occupational field

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

3. For licensure or certification

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

4. To increase opportunities for promotion, advancement or higher salary

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

5. To learn skills or knowledge needed for a recently acquired position

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

6. Required or expected by employer

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

7. Other ? Specify: ______________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

C7.

Which of the reasons marked in C6 represents your most important reason for attending training activities? Enter number of appropriate reason from C6 above.

_____ MOST important reason

PART D - Background Information

D1.

What is your birthdate?

Month ___ ___ Day: ___ ___ Year: 19 ___ ___

D2.

In what U.S. state, U.S. territory, or foreign country were you born?

State/Territory: ________________________ OR
Foreign Country: _______________________

D4DAD.

What is the highest level of education completed by your father or male guardian?
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Less than high school diploma
2 [ ] High school diploma or equivalent
3 [ ] Some college, vocational, or trade school (including 2-year degrees)
4 [ ] Graduated from a 4-year college (Bachelor's degree)
5 [ ] At least some graduate or professional school

D4MOM.

What is the highest level of education completed by your mother or female guardian?
Mark (X) ONLY one

D5.

Are you of Hispanic origin or descent?

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to D7)

D6.

Which of the following categories best describes your Hispanic descent?
IF MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY APPLIES: Please select the one you consider the most important part of your background.
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano
2 [ ] Puerto Rican
3 [ ] Cuban
91 [ ] Some other Hispanic descent ? Specify: ______________________________

D7.

Are you . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] White
2 [ ] Black or African American
3 [ ] Asian or Pacific Islander
4 [ ] American Indian or Alaskan Native (e.g., Eskimo, Aleut)
91 [ ] Other ? Specify: ______________________________

D8.

Are you . . .

1 [ ] Male
2 [ ] Female

D9.

During the week of April 15, 1997, were you . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A U.S. citizen
2 [ ] Not a U.S. citizen (SKIP to D9_2)

D9_1.

(IF U.S. CITIZEN) Were you . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] A native-born citizen (SKIP to D12)
2 [ ] A naturalized citizen (SKIP to D12)

D9_2.

(IF NON-U.S. CITIZEN) During the week of April 15, 1997, did you have . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

3 [ ] A Permanent U.S. Resident Visa
4 [ ] A Temporary U.S. Resident Visa
5 [ ] No U.S. Visa - You were living outside the United States

D10.

(IF NON-U.S. CITIZEN) Of which country were you a citizen during the week of April 15, 1997?

COUNTRY: ________________________________________

D12.

During the week of April 15, 1997, were you living in the United States or one of its territories, or were you living in another country?

1 [ ] United States or one of its territories
2 [ ] Another country

D13.

As of the week of April 15, 1997, were you . . .
Mark (X) ONLY one

1 [ ] Married (GO to D14, page 15)
2 [ ] Widowed
3 [ ] Separated (SKIP to D16, page 15)
4 [ ] Divorced (SKIP to D16, page 15)
5 [ ] Never Married (SKIP to D16, page 15)

D14.

(IF MARRIED) During the week of April 15, 1997, was your spouse working for pay (or profit) at a full-time or part-time job?

1 [ ] Yes, full-time
2 [ ] Yes, part-time
3 [ ] No (SKIP to D16)

D15.

(IF YES) Did your spouse's duties on this job require the technical expertise of a bachelor's degree or higher in . . .
Mark (X) Yes or No for each

a. Engineering, computer science, math or the natural sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

b. The social sciences

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

c. Some other field (e.g., health or business) ? Specify: _________________________

1 [ ] Yes 2 [ ] No

D16.

During the week of April 15, 1997, did you have any children living with you as part of your family?
Only count children who lived with you at least 50 percent of the time.

1 [ ] Yes
2 [ ] No (SKIP to D18, page 16)

D17.

(IF YES) How many of these children living with you as part of your family were . . .
IF NO CHILDREN IN A CATEGORY: Enter "0."

e. _____ Under age 2 (Number of Children)
f. _____ Aged 2-5 (Number of Children)
b. _____ Aged 6-11 (Number of Children)
c. _____ Aged 12-17 (Number of Children)
d. _____ Aged 18 or older (Number of Children)

PLEASE go to D18, page 16

The next question is designed to help us better understand the career paths of individuals with different physical abilities.

D18.

What is the usual degree of difficulty you have with . . .
MARK (X) ONE FOR EACH LINE

a. SEEING words or letters in ordinary newsprint (with glasses/contact lenses if you usually wear them)

0 [ ] None 1 [ ] Slight 2 [ ] Moderate 3 [ ] Severe 4 [ ] Unable to Do

b. HEARING what is normally said in conversation with another person (with hearing aid, if you usually wear one)

0 [ ] None 1 [ ] Slight 2 [ ] Moderate 3 [ ] Severe 4 [ ] Unable to Do

c. WALKING without human or mechanical assistance or using stairs

0 [ ] None 1 [ ] Slight 2 [ ] Moderate 3 [ ] Severe 4 [ ] Unable to Do

d. LIFTING or carrying something as heavy as 10 pounds, such as a bag of groceries

0 [ ] None 1 [ ] Slight 2 [ ] Moderate 3 [ ] Severe 4 [ ] Unable to Do

D18_1.

[ ] MARK (X) THIS BOX IF YOU ANSWERED "NONE" TO ALL ACTIVITIES IN D18 AND SKIP TO D22

D19.

What is the earliest age at which you first began experiencing any difficulties in any of these areas?

AGE ___ ___ OR [ ] SINCE BIRTH

D22.

In case we need to clarify some of the information you have provided, please provide an address, telephone number(s), and any e-mail address (if applicable) where you can be reached.

______________________________________________________________
Number and Street/Apt. No.
_______________________________________________________________
City/Town State Zip Code Plus 4
_______________________________________________________________
Country (If outside U.S.)
Telephone Numbers:
Daytime: ___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___ ___
Evening: ___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___ ___
E-mail Address(es): ________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

D22a.

Does the name appearing on the back cover of this questionnaire match your current name?

[ ] Yes (SKIP to D21 below)
[ ] No

D22b.

Please provide your current name.

_________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Name Last Name

D21.

Since we are interested in how education and employment change over time, we may be recontacting you in the future. To help us contact you, please provide the name, address, and telephone number of someone who is likely to know where you can be reached. Do not include someone who lives in your household.
As with all the information provided in this questionnaire, complete confidentiality will be provided. This person will only be contacted if we have trouble contacting you in the future.

__________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Name Last Name
__________________________________________________________________
Number and Street/Apt. No.
__________________________________________________________________
City/Town State Zip Code Plus 4
__________________________________________________________________
Country (If outside U.S.)

Area Code Number
___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___ ___

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Please return the completed form in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you lose the envelope and want another, or if you have any questions, please call Ronnie Goodman at 1-800-937-8283. Our address is:

Westat
1650 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
Attn: Cindy Gray, TA 2140F

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