Career outcomes for WMU students

You worked hard in classes, group projects, internships and individual research—now it’s your time to prosper in a meaningful career. For nine out of 10 Western grads, they got that job or got into that graduate school program shortly after graduation. If you take a closer look below, not only will you see where WMU graduates landed, but you’ll also see why choosing Western was the best career choice they could have made.

Where are WMU graduates now?

Samantha Morehead standing outside the L'Oreal building in New York City.

Where are WMU graduates now?

From the Fortune 500 and tech startups to the halls of academia, Western graduates land their dream career or position, like Samantha Morehead who started working at L'Oréal right after graduation. See where our alums are putting their passion into practice.

Published: Feb. 13, 2023

Pride points

  • 9 of 10 Broncos are employed quickly, working in their field in jobs they like

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

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  • 97% of Broncos had instructors who made them excited about learning

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

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  • 92% of graduates working full time have a job related to their degree

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

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Hannah Douglas in her graduation gown holding a basketball in Reed Fieldhouse.

I was just trying to push my professional career as far as I could go with as much time as I had. I took any opportunity and went with it, whether it was a career fair, major mash-up, anything like that. I definitely owe it all to the (Haworth College of Business).

Hannah Douglas, B.B.A.'22 food and consumer package goods marketing (from Walled Lake, Michigan)

Employers and beyond

Sometimes, the numbers just speak for themselves. Like the fact that 91% of recent graduates working full time said they were satisfied with their job, earning a median salary of $55,000–$65,000 (based on 1,305 reported salaries). And 88% said their education and experiences as a student at Western prepared them for their profession.

Who employs WMU graduates?

AmazonGooglePfizerSummit Polymers
AscensionHersheyPlante MoranTarget
BronsonHormel FoodsPNCUnited Airlines
Charles River LaboratoriesKalamazoo Public SchoolsSamaritasUnited Nations
Delta AirlinesKellogg'sSpectrum HealthU.S. Air Force
EatonMeijerStrykerU.S. Army
General MotorsParker HannifinState of Michigan Whirlpool

  

  • 91% of graduates working full time are satisfied with their job

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

    Explore the data

  • $55,001-$65,000 median salary for recent graduates working full time

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

    Explore the data

  • 88% of graduates say their education and experiences at Western prepared them for their profession

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

    Explore the data

Luis Jaime in front of the seal sculpture.

I have friends who went to Purdue who sometimes tell me, 'I wish we went to Western instead.' Western brings all the top resources and continues to advance technology, because technology in the field is advancing too.

Luis Jaime, B.S.'21 aviation technical operations

Experience-based learning

Often the best way to learn is by rolling up your sleeves and digging into a problem. That’s why 93% of Western students took the hands-on approach and completed at least one experience-driven learning activity, such as an internship, work-study program, or semester or yearlong academic project. This helped them gain some of the valuable, resume-worthy experiences and skills they later used to find their career after graduation. 

 

  • 93% of graduates participated in experience-driven learning

    Career Outcomes Report (2021-22)

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  • Grace Filpi in her cap and gown.
  • "Once I started to see results of these projects, I realized the true potential the research I was part of could have on cancer. ... I continue to learn new things in the research lab every day and have found my true passion for science and learning. It was in the research lab where I was able to confidently commit to a career in medicine, where science and learning will become part of my everyday life."

    Grace Filpi, B.S.'22 biological sciences

    Read her story

Continuing education

Every year, WMU graduates decide to take their education to the next level by pursuing a graduate degree. In 2021-22, 20% of graduates were furthering their education in 139 fields of study.