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.

David Le in his graduation gown and medals in the College of Health and Human Services building.
"I was able to go to a nursing conference and was the only student there. I was surrounded by people who wrote the textbooks we were reading in class!"
—David Le, B.S.N.'24, nursing

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 David Le, who is a graduate nurse in critical care at Bronson Methodist Hospital after leading a cutting-edge project that could change the future of medicine nationwide. See where our alums are putting their passion into practice.

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Julia Haas celebrating in her graduation gown.
"Our professors tell us they get a lot of feedback from companies saying they want to hire Broncos because, compared to Michigan or Purdue where they are more textbook-based and theoretical, we're really getting experience. It's nice to know that there is a demand for me outside of here as soon as I graduate."
Julia Haas, B.S.E.'24, industrial and entrepreneurial engineering

Employers and beyond

Sometimes, the numbers just speak for themselves. Like the fact that 92% of recent graduates working full time said they were satisfied with their job, earning a median salary of $60,000–$70,000 (based on 722 reported salaries). And 90% said their education and experiences as a student at Western prepared them for their profession.

Who employs WMU graduates?
AmazonDetroit LionsKalamazoo Public SchoolsStryker
AscensionEatonKellanovaState of Michigan
BoeingESPN+MeijerStewart Talent Agency
Blue OriginFord Motor CompanyNationwide Children's HospitalTesla
BoschGraphic PackagingParker HannifinUnited Airlines
Charles River LaboratoriesHersheyPfizerU.S. Air Force
Defense Intelligence AgencyHormel FoodsPlante MoranWhirlpool

  

Varsha Sundareswaran in Valley Dining Center.
"Western has one of the best aviation programs in the country. There are a lot of pathway programs where you can meet with different airlines and airports and talk about your experiences. As soon as you graduate, you can get an internship or a full-time job because Western has that impact; it has connections with so many airlines and different companies."
Varsha Sundareswaran, B.S.’24, aviation management and operations

Experience-driven 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. 

 

Continuing education

Every year, WMU graduates decide to take their education to the next level by pursuing a graduate degree. In 2023-24, 19% of graduates were furthering their education in nearly 140 fields of study.