Parents and family members often ask, “What do UMW students do after they graduate?”
Fortunately, the Career Center has the answer. We recently tabulated the results from the UMW Class of 2017 First Destination Survey (a survey distributed to graduates six months after graduation).
92% of UMW’s Class of 2017 were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in other career related endeavors (military, volunteer work, etc.) within six months of graduation. This is well above the NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) national average of 81%*.
Other highlights include:
- Graduates are employed in 25 states and 7 countries.
- The average starting salary is $46,734.
- Top industries include information technology, health care, government, and education.
- 17% are continuing their education in a degree program.
It’s always fun to see exactly where our graduates end up working and we imagine you are curious too. Here are just a few of the organizations employing our recent graduates:
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Capital One, Inc
- City of Dallas
- Department of Justice
- Disney
- Dominion Energy
- Habitat for Humanity
- Mary Washington Healthcare
- National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
- Shakespeare Theatre Company
- S. Department of State
- Virginia Symphony Orchestra
We are pleased and proud to track these early successes of our UMW graduates and know that their families feel even happier. For those of you reading this who still have students at UMW, please continue to encourage them to get involved in campus life, in and out of the classroom. Remind them to seek out volunteer positions and internships that can help with career decision-making and get to know their professors and other mentors who will be able to provide strong references. And, please tell them to utilize the Career Center where the staff provides a number of services including one-on-one appointments, programs, self-assessment and much more.
*Based on NACE Class of 2016 data.
Mary Becelia, Career Coach, Center for Career & Professional Development
Rose Maddox, Operations & Employer Relations Manager, Center for Career & Professional Development