Yewon Lee, who is double majoring in aviation maintenance technical operations and aviation flight science, is interning with the avionics install team at Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek. In the internship, she's learning how to route wires in aircraft.

Opportunities today. Careers tomorrow.

Experience-driven learning can help you land your dream job.
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At WMU, learning happens in and out of the classroom.

At Western, you are empowered to pursue your purpose from the moment you arrive on campus. With internship, research and leadership opportunities available starting in your first year, you have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills employers seek before you graduate. Browse our student and alumni pairings below to see how opportunities at Western can lead you to a meaningful career after graduation.

The sky is the limit for Joseph and Rebekah thanks to aviation partnerships available through Western.

Joseph Bos in a cockpit of an airplane.

Joseph Bos

Aviation management and operations, class of 2025
College of Aviation

An aviation management and operations major, Joseph recently secured a top internship at the Denver International Airport with the help of a former WMU grad. Now, he’s getting on-the-job training at one of the country's largest and most trafficked airports. 

Rebekah Hainline

B.S.‘22, College of Aviation

Recently selected as a first officer for Allegiant Air through its career-pathway Accelerate program—Rebekah successfully parlayed her WMU education and post-grad work experience into a career that is soon to take flight.

Rebekah Hainlin portrait

Did you know?

The WMU College of Aviation has career partnerships with Delta, United and other major aviation organizations. With a robust network of alumni who are now industry leaders, aviation students can fast-track their careers as pilots, technicians or aviation managers while at Western.
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Noemí and Elizbia are advocating for change.

Noemí Mendéz portrait at the White House.

Noemí Mendéz

Social work, class of 2024
College of Health and Human Services

Noemí recently attended the inaugural First-Generation College Student Day at the White House, where she spoke to top government officials about the importance of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).

 

Elizbia Capula

B.A.‘22, College of Arts and Sciences

A representative from WMU’s CAMP program helped Elizbia find a home at Western. Now she’s paying it forward at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, where she works to enhance employment opportunities for those in migrant-dependent industries.

Elizbia Capula portrait at Sangren Hall.

Did you know?

WMU’s Capital Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to shadow senators, state representatives, lobbyists and other top government officials, enabling them to learn more about the inner workings of government offices. To date, the program has accepted more than 1,000 students, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in policymaking, intelligence, social service and more.

Thanks to WMU’s business accelerator program, Gabriella, Hailey and Payton got a real-life taste of the business world.

Portrait if Gabriella Ford and Hailey Gordon downtown Kalamazoo.

Gabriella Ford

Fashion merchandising, class of 2024
College of Education and Human Development 

Hailey Gordon

University Studies, class of 2024
Merze Tate College

Through Starting Gate, Western’s business accelerator program, Gabriella and Hailey co-founded Shindigz, a website for Gen Z consumers to find local events, food and shopping easily.

Payton Walker

B.B.A.‘23, Haworth College of Business

Payton turned his award-winning Starting Gate project, CryptoShovel, into a full-fledged business after graduation. Now he’s focused on expanding his company, which works to build and operate low-energy crypto-mining systems.

Payton Walker portrait

Did you know?

Starting Gate is a student business accelerator program that gives students the resources and funding to develop their own startup companies. The accelerator program is open to all WMU students through an application process in which students must demonstrate a promising idea for a product or service that can be launched within a short period.

For Breyana and Clare, leadership roles at Western fueled their passion for education.

Breyana Wilson portrait

Breyana Wilson

Education and human development, class of 2024
College of Education and Human Development

Breyana is thriving in leadership roles at WMU, having served as president for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Future Teachers of Color while pursuing her degree. Set to graduate in 2024, Breyana already has a job with the Kalamazoo Promise where she is making an impact on future generations of college students.

Clare Bunton

B.A.‘21, College of Education and Human Development 

While at WMU, Clare found opportunities to develop her leadership skills as a student ambassador and as president of the Western Student Education Association. Now as a high school math teacher, her passion for education continues to shine.

 

Clare Bunton

Did you know?

WMU features nearly 500 student clubs, groups and teams. Professional groups like Future Teachers of Color offer leadership and career advancement opportunities. Competitive teams like Sunseeker, WMU’s solar car racing team, allow students to channel their passions for a chance at victory. Available in a wide range of topics and categories, student clubs are a great way to get involved on campus.

At WMU, Gage and Bharat found the freedom to explore their purpose.

Gage Frei portrait, standing in front of the clock tower.

Gage Frei

Exploratory student, class of 2026
Merze Tate College

When Gage arrived at WMU, he had difficulty narrowing down his academic interests. As an exploratory student at Merze Tate College, Gage found the guidance and support needed to help him decide on a major that excites him: computer science.

Bharat Goel

B.S.‘22, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences 

Bharat came to WMU interested in engineering but unsure of his specialization. Through involvement in groups like Formula SAE racing and the Sunseeker solar racing team, he found his niche: electrical engineering. Now, he works as an electrical engineer at Consumers Energy.

Bharat Goel portrait, in Sangren Hall.