![Zabihullah "Zabi" Najafi came to Western after escaping war and violence in Afghanistan. Now this Medallion Scholar is focused on becoming an advocate for other refugees. The international and comparative politics major visited the United Nations Headquarters and Rockefeller Center in New York City.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/u171/2023/Zabi_2.jpg)
Employer-sought skills
![Dr. Qingliu Wu holds a class in his lab at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Floyd Hall. Along with his students, they are working on lithium-ion battery research funded through a previous $9.6 million dollar grant.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/u171/2023/Research_1.jpg)
The research university advantage
![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.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/u171/2023/Internship_7.jpg)
Internship opportunities
Design for good
Bobby Snell, industrial and product design, B.F.A.‘21
Bobby landed a job designing dog toys for BARK in New York City. He developed the highly sought-after expertise while pursuing a product design degree at Western's Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation. The program's deep immersion in the marketplace allowed Bobby to successfully launch two product patents before completing his degree.
Dream job
Brandon Harlin, sports management, B.S.‘22
Player Engagement Coordinator, New York Giants
Now the Player Engagement Coordinator for the New York Giants, Brandon credits his instructors at Western who were personally invested in his success. Thanks to their support, he landed a senior internship with Bronco Athletics that led to his dream job.
9 of 10
93%
of graduates participated in experience-driven learning*
97%
Pursue justice
Jayla Williams, criminal justice, B.A.‘23
Sadek Law PLC, legal assistant
Jayla helped crack homicide cases, working alongside Michigan State Police detectives, through WMU’s Cold Case Program, a first-of-its-kind partnership that has garnered national media attention on the "Today Show" and "48 Hours," among others.
*WMU collected data for 3,458 graduates, of which 2,434 were employed full time, 65 were employed part time and 703 employed their degree to gain admittance to graduate school or were otherwise continuing their education. 2021-22 Career Outcomes Report, wmich.edu/about/facts