What becomes of SIBE alumni and where do graduates stand a few years after completing their studies? We would like to approach these essential questions by surveying the corresponding graduating class each year. In February 2021, we invited alumni from the classes of 2017 and 2010 to participate in the Alumni Retention Survey. For the first time, the results of the retention study illustrate not only the situation of SIBE alumni three years after graduation, but also ten years later.
With a response rate of almost 57% and 38% respectively, the survey was very successful this year. It reflects the general trend for graduates to continue exchanges with their university even after they have completed their studies.
The key findings of both surveys illustrate that the “employability” of former SIBE students remains extremely high.
Looking at the alumni of the class of 2017, the results show that:
- 97 % of graduates are employed on a permanent basis
- 91 % of the graduates taken on are still employed by their project company ten years after graduation.
- 57 % of the participants have a management function
- 40 % of respondents have disciplinary personnel responsibility (1-100 employees)
The average annual gross salary of graduates is around 76,000€.
The situation of the alumni of the class of 2010 is as follows:
- 89 % of graduates are employed on a permanent basis
- 37% of the graduates taken on are still employed by their project company ten years after graduation.
- 74 % of the participants have a management function
- 61 % of respondents have disciplinary personnel responsibility (1-100 employees)
The average annual gross salary of graduates is around 110,000€.
The retention survey also shows that alumni of both cohorts see a direct link between their good professional situation and the SIBE degree course: 92% of the alumni surveyed, three years after completing their degree, stated that the course had greatly enhanced their professional development. This positive assessment is also shared by alumni ten years after graduation. Here the approval rate is 87%.
Looking at the results across all cohorts surveyed to date, it can be seen that the 2017 cohort broadly mirrors previous figures. What is particularly pleasing about this vintage is its diversity. Thus, 57% of the graduates surveyed were female. This reflects the constant efforts of the SIBE to establish an equal situation for all applicants, students and graduates.
When looking at the results ten years after graduation, it stands out that the graduates have long-term success in their professional lives. Moreover, 56% of them continue to feel an attachment to SIBE a decade after they left.
With currently more than 5,000 alumni at home and abroad, the SIBE has a considerable and successful network. Today, some outstanding careers have led our alumni to the board of directors or the management of various well-known companies such as SAP AG, Bertrandt AG or EQS Group. At nine percent, the number of founders is also constantly at an above-average level. Some examples are the multiple award-winning companies CureVac AG, Asana Rebel GmbH and Zoi TechCon GmbH.
We are proud of our alumni and would like to constantly strengthen the exchange. The Xing and LinkedIn communities “SIBE@Steinbeis Alumni and students” serve as central exchange platforms for graduates and students.
The full “2021 Retention Study” can be found here.