DukeEngage conducts surveys every five years to gather information about the program’s impact on alumni during their time at Duke and continuing into their professional journeys and the present day.
Conducted by independent research firm Westat, our most recent alumni survey indicates that for many students, DukeEngage is a turning point in their intellectual, social, and ethical development. Most respondents reported that DukeEngage helped them to apply their learning in real-world contexts, work with diverse groups, and translate their values into action. Many also noted connections between their DukeEngage programs and their current careers and affirmed that DukeEngage shaped their perspectives about civic engagement in lasting ways.
Here are some key findings from the alumni survey. If you’d like to see the full brief, it is available here.
Impact on Duke Experience
• 73% ranked DukeEngage among their top five undergraduate experiences
• 21% identified it as their single most impactful Duke experience
• 98% said they would recommend the program to “some, depending on skills and interests” (33%) or “all” (65%) Duke students
Impact on Skill Development
• 92% of alumni reported a “moderate” or “large” positive impact on their ability to apply knowledge to real-world settings.
• 93% reported a “moderate” or “large” positive impact on their ability in working effectively on diverse teams
• 92% reported a “moderate” or “large” positive impact on their ability to make ethical judgments and decisions.
“This life-changing opportunity truly differentiates the value proposition of attending Duke over any other university. I am so grateful for my DukeEngage summer (to date still one of my all-time favorite jobs). I’ve volunteered with the organization for the past ten years, and for the past four, I’ve served on the executive board too.”
— Alumni Survey Respondent
Impact on Civic Engagement
• 89% of respondents said DukeEngage shaped how they think about civic engagement and effective volunteerism.
• 84% reported participating in volunteer work after graduation, and many noted connections to the theme or type of service of their DukeEngage program.
Impact on Professional Choices
• 81% identified a connection between their career trajectory and the theme of their DukeEngage program.
Impact on Perspective
• 84% of employed alumni reported that their DukeEngage experience continues to influence how they approach their work.
“DukeEngage brought me to post Katrina New Orleans where I fell in love with the city and became deeply interested in participating in the city’s recovery. That led me to joining Teach for America (TFA) in New Orleans and teaching there for seven years, a deeply transformative professional and personal experience that has continued to shape my career after leaving the classroom.”
— Alumni Survey Respondent