FAQs: First Destination Survey

If you are thinking about using the First Destination Tool in Handshake, we've created this resource to help address many of the questions you may have!

• Is FDS an additional cost to my Handshake contract?
  • No, Handshake’s First Destination Tool is included in your Handshake contract.

• What are the standard FDS questions? 
  
  • We have outlined all standard questions outlined in this article, First Destination Survey (FDS) Standard Questions.

• Can we change the standard FDS questions?
  • These cannot be changed, but if you do need to include additional questions, you can include additional survey questions for each student pathway.
    
    
• How do I download all FDS responses?
  • You can download the responses to all FDS responses from the First Destination feature. If you go to the list of students, select one student, then choose "Select All", you will be able to use the "Download" CSV action under the More dropdown.

• Can users submit multiple responses on the FDS? How does reporting work for that?
  • Yes, users can submit multiple responses to Handshake’s First Destination Survey. We only count a student’s most recent response in reporting, but you can always access the previous response by searching for the student. 

• Can I remove a students response from a FDS? 
  • Yes, if you remove a recipient, any responses are still associated with the student. If you add the student back to the FDS the system retains their responses and they are visible on the FDS.
    • Note: if there were any changes to the student's profile (i.e level of study, course etc.), these changes will not be reflected in the student's recipient data when they are added back to the FDS. The recipient data is a snapshot of what their information was at the time they were originally added to the FDS.
    • Note: If a student is removed from the FDS and added back (AND they don't have any responses), their recipient data will update to reflect changes on their profile.*

• Can I import legacy outcome data into Handshake?
  • We can import data from many sources, but we will want to take a look at the format of your data and make sure it will match what is in Handshake. Refer to Importing Historical FDS Responses for more information. 

• Can I submit responses as a career service staff member for a student?
  • Yes, you can enter a response for a student and mark it as a Response Answer or a Knowledge Answer. Enter a FDS Response for a Student (Knowledge Response)

• Can we add additional questions that are specific to our institution?
  • Yes, you can add a survey to your Handshake First Destination Survey that will be presented to students after the general Handshake questions. This survey can be created in the Survey section of Handshake or you can simply select the 'Create Survey' button under Create New questions. 

• Can we use skip logic in the additional questions that we add?
  • Yes, you can use skip logic based on Handshake’s first question what are you primarily doing after graduation. In the additional questions themselves, you can use skip logic for each question you would like.

• Can we report based on College?
  • Yes, we offer advanced reporting on many student filters.  

• How do I increase the response rate of my First Destination Survey?
  • Since the survey will be located in Handshake which many of your students have already connected to, you may see higher results than normal. Other universities use techniques like asking students to enter their responses when they pick up their cap and gowns or offering gift cards (Amazon) when a student fills out the survey. Refer to Improve FDS Response Rates with the FDS Kiosk for more information. 

• How do you add students to FDS?
  • You can add students to the FDS directly in Handshake from the manage students section. You can also add students by copying and pasting their email addresses in the Add Students section of the Student Tracking page.

• When they have access to what other students are doing, how does that impact their decisions?
  • In the research done here at Handshake we found that this was motivating for students and they continued to fill out the survey to get more information about how their first destination related to their peers. 

• Can the FDS be taken on Handshake's mobile app?   
  • Yes, the mobile app will not change how the First Destination Survey is taken by students.
    • Note: They will be routed to a browser window when accessing the FDS link from an email and not to the mobile app.
      

• How do you indicate that you are looking for students that are still looking to continue education?
  • You can search for students that have submitted a certain response type in the student tracking section and contact them directly with an email or a request that they submit their most recent work experience.

• Can you delete a First Destination Survey?
  • Yes, career services staff can delete First Destination Surveys. It is unlikely that you would need to delete one unless it is a test. You should always use extreme caution when deleting a First Destination Survey.  

• Is FDS ready to go or do I have to customise it?
  • You can you use the pre-built surveys.

• With the gamification of showing students what other students are doing, how does that impact their decisions?
  • In the research done here at Handshake we found that this was motivating for students and they continued to fill out the survey to get more information about how their first destination related to their peers. This is customisable and you can remove this gamification if you desire.

• Can students access FDS without logging in?
  • Yes, we have released a “logged out link” to help prevent blockers with students needing to log in.

For other FAQ articles regarding specific areas in Handshake, check out the below links:

FAQs: First Destination Survey Notifications

First Destination Survey Reminders Emails FAQs

First Destination Survey Student Submissions FAQs