This paper reports on the design and results of a paired sample survey of 226 graduates and 110 of their employers in one professional area at a university. This study was designed to explore the usefulness of a method of data collection for paired surveys and the potential benefits of surveying both graduates and employers. Survey development and dissemination methods are described. A quantitative analysis was made of a list of 22 general skills. Qualitative analysis of graduate and employer comments compared graduate and employer expectations of any graduate employee in terms of important skills and their assessments of skills of a particular graduate (Achievement of the same skills). Although few statistically significant differences were found between ratings of employers and graduates, results indicate that each group can answer different questions that contribute to curriculum improvement, and more qualitative methods may reveal differences in similar questions. Recommendations for survey development and use include: (1) supplementing questions on general skill levels with open-ended questions; (2) differentiating between the importance of and achievement of skills; (3) graphically presenting qualitative results for decision makers; and (4) using alternate question types and qualitative data collection methods to control for respondents' tendencies to provide predominantly positive responses. (Contains 2 figures, 4 tables, and 16 references.) (SLD)