Employment Status of Recent Graduates

  2011-2012 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed the graduates from the 2011-2012 academic year (Bachelor's, Master's, and those who received teacher certification). Graduates were invited to respond via email, mailed hardcopy, and then by phone. Employment data were also supplied by the University's academic departments.

As a result of these efforts, data were collected from 52% of the 3,219 students who received Bachelor's degrees; 74% of the 302 students who received teacher certification; and 77% of the 326 students who completed Master's degrees in 2011-12. Additional information, including names of hiring employers and internship locations, can be found on the Career Services Center website (www.wwu.edu/careers) and in Old Main 280. Questions regarding this report should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

The results of our 2011-12 survey indicate an improving job market for recent grads as compared to the past few years of economic volatility. Bachelor's degree recipients reported the largest gains. Eighty percent (80%) reported employment within six months of graduation as compared to 75% the previous year and field-related employment increased from 47% to 51%. Average starting salaries were up a significant 17%, increasing to $38,741 this year from $33,069 last year.

Top employers of recent Bachelor's degree graduates include (in order): Boeing, Western Washington University, Amazon, Microsoft, AmeriCorps, Nordstrom, Target, Costco, Ernst and Young, Starbucks, and the Bellingham School District.

Overall employment for recipients of teaching certificates improved to 92% this year, with more than half employed within Washington State. The employment rate for Master's degree recipients (85%) is also higher than last year's results.

The value of internship experience was again supported by this year's survey results. Graduates with internship experience were 23 percentage points more likely to be employed within their field of study, were 7 percentage points more likely to have a job within three months of graduation, and had a 5% higher starting salary.

Career and Internship Opportunities

The Career Services Center's free, online job and internship posting database is called Viking CareerLink and includes accounts from more than 2,500 employers and 6,500 students and alums. At any given time, there are 500-600 career and internship opportunities actively open and listed. Personalized job search results can be automatically emailed to subscribers.

Continuing Education

This year's percentage of Bachelor's degree recipients seeking continued education (11.8%) is down somewhat from last year's results (14.3%). Continuing education was highest among disciplines such as Communication Science & Disorders (73%), Economics/Mathematics (67%), Biochemistry (46%), and Philosophy (36%). Western grads continue to be extremely competitive in gaining admission to a broad range of programs: Columbia University (Communication), Boston University (Chemistry), California Polytechnic State University (Taxation), and Johns Hopkins University (Medical).

  2010-2011 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed 2010-2011 Bachelor's and Master's degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates responded to our web-based survey three to six months after graduation. Those who did not respond received a survey by mail six months after graduation. Telephone calls were then made to the remaining non-respondents. Employment data were also supplied by the University's academic departments.

As a result of all these efforts, data were collected from 45% of the 3,045 students who received Bachelor's degrees; 70% of the 322 students who received teacher certification; and 61% of the 320 students who completed Master's degrees in 2010-11. The sample represents a margin of error of + 1.6%. The survey results are summarized in this report. Additional information can be found on the Career Services Center website (www.careers.wwu.edu) and in Old Main 280. Questions regarding these data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

The results of our 2010-2011 survey mirror the mixed conditions seen in the national job market and overall economy. Bachelor's degree recipients experienced a somewhat more positive job market. Seventy-five percent (75%) reported employment compared to 72% the previous year and field-related employment increased from 44% to 47%. Overall, average starting salaries were down from $34,068 to $33,069 but a few majors saw substantial increases. Finance majors averaged $40,030 (up 23%) and Political Science majors averaged $33,254 (up 19%). The highest salaries were reported by majors in Computer Science ($63,642), Plastics Engineering Technology ($59,013).

Employment for teachers remained exactly at last year's level of 87% but there was positive news in the fact that the percentage of teachers employed in substitute teaching decreased markedly to 25% compared to 33% last year. The employment rate for Master's degree recipients was 82%, an increase from last year's 78%. Additionally, Master's degree recipients reported a significant increase in the percentage employed in their related field (79% compared to 68% last year).

The value of internship experience was again supported by this year's survey results. Graduates with internship experience continued to find their jobs faster and were more likely to be in a field-related position.

Continuing Education

This year's percentage (14.3%) of Bachelor's degree recipients seeking continued education exactly matches last year's results. Continuing education was highest in Physics (56%), Chemistry (50%), Mathematics (46%), Biology (35%), Communication Science & Disorders (33%), Accounting (24%), and Anthropology (18%). Western grads continue to be competitive in gaining admission to a broad range of programs at schools across the country and beyond: MIT (Astrophysics), NYU (Ethnobotany), DePaul (Acting), Loyola University of Chicago (Student Affairs), Wesleyan (Chemistry), and the University of British Columbia (Mathematics).

  2009-2010 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed 2009-2010 bachelor's and master's degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates responded to our web-based survey three to six months after graduation. Those who did not respond received a survey by mail six months after graduation. Telephone calls were made to the remaining non-respondents. Employment data was also supplied by the University's academic departments.

As a result of all these efforts, data were collected from 54% of the 2,993 students who received bachelor's degrees; 84% of the 308 students who received teacher certification; and 77% of the 325 students who completed master's degrees in 2009-10. The sample represents a margin of error of + 1.4%. The survey results are summarized in this report. Additional information can be found on the Career Services Center website (www.careers.wwu.edu) and in Old Main 280. Questions regarding these data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

The results of our 2009-2010 survey strongly align with the evolving and marginally improving job market and economic recession. Bachelor's degree recipients experienced a slightly more positive job market, with 72% reporting employment compared to 69% last year. The percentage of those reporting employment in field-related positions (44%) also represents an improvement over last year (40%). For bachelor degree recipients, the average starting salary was $34,068 which is comparable to last year's results. Graduates with a major in Journalism (up 20% to $25,089), Management (up 10% to $37,942), and Communication (up 8% to $34,110) reported some of the largest increases in their starting salaries compared to last year.

Employment for teachers remained exactly at last year's level of 87%, with the percentage of substitute teaching decreasing slightly to 33% from last year's 36%. The employment rate for master's degree recipients was 78%. This represents a decline from last year's 84%, though the percent of master's degree recipients employed in their related field (68%) remained consistent.

The value of internship experience was again supported by this year's results. Graduates with internship experience continued to find their jobs faster, were more likely to be in a field-related job, and reported higher starting salaries.

Continuing Education

Typically, when the job market tightens, the percentage of bachelors' degree candidates continuing their education goes up. For 2009-2010, the rate was 14.3%, only slightly lower than last year's 15.1%. Undergraduates continuing their education was highest in Physics (67%), Chemistry (53%), Communication Science & Disorders (44%), Mathematics (29%), and Economics (26%). Western grads continue to be competitive in gaining admission to a broad range of programs at schools across the country and beyond: Duke University (Psychology), Cornell University (Chemistry), Georgetown University (Law), University of British Columbia (Political Science), University College London (Linguistics), and Vanderbilt University (Audiology).

  2008-2009 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed 2008-2009 bachelor's and master's degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates responded to our web-based survey three months after graduation. Those who did not respond, or whose post-graduate plans were uncertain, received a survey by mail six months after graduation. Telephone calls were made to the remaining non respondents. Employment data was also supplied by the university's academic departments. As a result of all these efforts, data were collected from 57% of the 3,065 students who received bachelor's degrees; 85% of the 276 students who received teacher certification; and 53% of the 338 students who completed master's degrees in 2008-09. The sample represents a margin of error of + 1.7%. The survey results are summarized in this brochure. Additional information can be found on the Career Services Center website (www.careers.wwu.edu) and in Old Main 280. Questions regarding these data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

The results of our 2008-2009 survey strongly align with the current tight job market and economic recession. Bachelor's degree recipients faced particular challenges with only 69% reporting employment, a drop of 4% compared to the previous year and the lowest rate in almost 20 years. The percentage of those reporting employment in field related positions (40.0%) represents a significant drop from last year's 50.6% and there was also an increase in the number of grads reporting part-time employment. For bachelor degree recipients, the average starting salary was about $3,000 less than last year's average. On the flip side, graduates from Environmental Science, Marketing and Finance, and Chemistry, reported an increase in their starting salaries.

Employment for teachers dropped from 94.6% last year to 86.8% employed this year, accompanied by an increase in substitute teaching from 25.6% last year to 35.8% this year. The employment rate for master's degree recipients was 83.8%, a slight decrease from last year's 86.8%.

The value of internship experience was further supported by this year's results. Grads with internship experience continued to find their jobs faster, were more likely to be in a field-related job, and reported higher starting salaries.

Continuing Education

Typically, when the job market tightens, the percentage of bachelors' degree candidates continuing their education goes up. For 2008-2009, the rate was 15.1%, with only last year's grads reporting a higher percentage. In Communication Science & Disorders the percentage of grads continuing their education was 50% and 48% of Chemistry grads went on for further study. Western grads continue to be competitive in gaining admission to a broad range of programs at schools across the country: Columbia University (Law), John Hopkins University (Cellular and Molecular Medicine), University of Washington (Pharmacy), Washington State University (Electrical Engineering), University of Indiana (Music), and Vanderbilt University (Audiology).

  2007-2008 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed 2007-2008 bachelor's and master's degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates responded to our web-based survey three months after graduation. Those who did not respond, or whose post-graduate plans were uncertain, received a survey by mail six months after graduation. Telephone calls were made to the remaining non respondents. Employment data was also supplied by the university's academic departments. As a result of all these efforts, data was collected on 60.3% of the 3,052 students who received bachelor's degrees, 82% of the 344 students who received teacher certification, and 86.7% of the 315 students who completed master's degrees in 2007-08. The sample represents a margin of error of + .02 The survey results are summarized below. Questions regarding these data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

The results of our 2007-2008 survey show the beginnings of a softening job market. Bachelor's degree recipients faced particular challenges with only 73% reporting employment, a drop of 6% compared to the previous year and the lowest rate since 1991. The percentage of those reporting employment in field related positions (50.5%) was the lowest in five years and there was an increase in the number of grads reporting part-time employment. The value of internship experience was clearly evident. Grads with internship experience found their jobs faster, were more likely to be in a field-related job and reported higher starting salaries. Employment for teachers held steady with 94.6% employed as compared to 94.2% the year before. 61.2% were in contracted positions, with a slightly higher percentage (8.9% compared to 7.6%) taking positions out of state. The employment rate for master's degree recipients was virtually unchanged with 86.8% employed as compared to 86.1% the previous year.

Continuing Education

Typically, when the job market softens, the percentage of bachelors' degree candidates continuing their education goes up. For 2007-2008, the rate increased to 15.5%, the highest number on record. In Chemistry the percentage of grads continuing their education was 65% and 30% of English grads went on for further study. Western grads continue to be competitive in gaining admission to a broad range of programs at schools across the country: Boston University (Medicine), Cleveland Institute of Music (Cello Performance), Northwestern (Chemistry), Pepperdine (Clinical Psychology), UC Berkeley (Molecular and Cell Biology), UCLA (Law), University of Buffalo (Physical Therapy), UW (Social Work) and WSU (Veterinary Medicine).

  2006-2007 Graduates

SURVEY RESULTS

 

INTRODUCTION

The Career Services Center of Western Washington University surveyed 2006-2007 bachelor's and master's degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates responded to our web-based survey beginning in December 2006. Those who did not respond, or whose post-graduate plans were uncertain, received a survey by mail in late 2007 and, if they did not respond, received one mail follow-up. Telephone calls were made to the remaining non respondents. Employment data was also supplied by the university's academic departments. As a result of all these efforts, data was collected on 61.3% of the 3,028 students who received bachelor's degrees, 92% of the 430 students who received teacher certification, and 74.5% of the 337 students who completed master's degrees in 2006-07. The sample represents a margin of error of ± .02. The survey results are summarized below. Questions regarding these data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Aaron Ignac, Assistant Director of Operations, at (360) 650-3240.

HIGHLIGHTS

Employment

While not quite as robust as the previous year, 2006-2007 offered a reasonably strong job market for WWU grads. The percentage of bachelor's degree recipients reporting employment fell from 80.2% to 78.6% - - a slight decrease but still consistent with the higher rates that have been reported since 2003. In the previous year only 3.1% reported they were still seeking employment, the lowest rate in over 15 years. In 2006-2007 this rate was 4.3%, an increase of 1.2%. While there was a decline in the percentage of grads offered jobs while still in school, the combined rate for grads finding employment either while in school or within three months of graduation was 68%, the highest rate in 7 years. 25% of grads with internship experience indicated that their internships led to employment, up from 20% the previous year. Overall, starting salaries rose only slightly, increasing from an average of $34,546 to $35,419. However, beginning salaries for some majors rose sharply with increases of over 10% for Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Planning & Environmental Policy, Geography (Environmental and Resource Management), Geology and International Business. 61.52% of teachers secured contracted positions, the highest percentage in the last five years. There was a corresponding drop in the percentage of teachers substituting with that rate down from 26.84% to 24.3%. 7.6% of teachers reported employment out of state, the second highest percentage in 7 years. The employment rate for master's degree recipients fell from 88.3% to 86.1%. This drop was offset by a 1.4% increase in the number of grads continuing their education and a 1.5% increase in the number of individuals who reported they were not pursuing employment or further education.

Continuing Education

As often happens in a favorable job market, the percentage of grads continuing their education declined from 13.4% to 13.1%, the lowest rate in 7 years. WWU grads gained entry into a wide variety of programs at schools across the country: Boston University (Math), DePaul University (Law), George Washington University (Forensic Science), Gonzaga (Law), Indiana-Purdue University (Music Technology), New York University (Nursing), Portland State University (Social Work), Seattle University (Law), University of Arizona (Economics), University of Illinois (Chemistry), University of Oregon (Landscape Architecture), University of Puget Sound (Physical Therapy), University of Southern California (Dentistry), University of Washington (Accounting, Audiology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Nursing),Washington State University (Pharmacy).