2006-2007 Graduates
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 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 this data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Marcia Lewis, Associate Director, (360) 650-3240.
HIGHLIGHTSEmployment
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).SURVEY RESULTS
2005-2006 Graduates
INTRODUCTION
The Career Services Center of Western Washington University conducted a survey in early 2007 on the employment status of 2005-2006 bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients, as well as those who received teacher certification. Graduates received an initial survey by mail and, if they did not respond, one mail follow-up. Employment data was also supplied by the university’s academic departments. As a result of all these efforts, data was collected on 1469 (47.3%) of the 3,104 students who received bachelor’s degrees, 406 (92%) of the 440 students who received teacher certification, and 240 (73.8%) of the 325 students who completed master’s degrees in 2005-06. The sample represents a margin of error of ± .02. The survey results are summarized below. Questions regarding this data should be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Marcia Lewis, Assistant Director for Operations, (360) 650-3240.
HIGHLIGHTSEmployment
2005-2006 offered a favorable job market for WWU grads, particularly those with bachelor’s degrees. 80.2% of bachelor’s degree recipients reported employment, the highest percentage since the 1992-93 graduating class. Moreover, only 3.1% reported they were still seeking, the lowest percentage in over 15 years. Graduates with internship experience fared particularly well. Not only was their employment rate higher at 85% but they also found their jobs faster and were offered higher starting salaries. 70% of the grads with internship experience found their jobs either while still in school or within 3 months of graduation, as compared to 66.5% for the graduating class as a whole. Their starting salaries, averaging $35,554 for those completing one internship and $35,702 for those completing two, were higher than the overall average of $34,546. The overall employment rate for teachers was down slightly but this was partly due to the fact that the number of teachers who opted to travel or stay home rather than seek employment after graduation was higher than the previous year. 59.6% of the teachers found contracted positions, the highest percentage in the last 4 years. The employment rate for master’s degree recipients was down slightly.
Continuing Education
As frequently happens when the job market improves, there was a drop in the number of graduates going on to graduate or professional school. 13.4% of those who received bachelor’s degrees went on for further education compared to 14.8% the previous year. WWU grads gained entry to a wide variety of programs at schools across the country: Boston College (Architecture), Clemson (Environmental Engineering), Cornell (Law), Louisiana State University (Oceanography and Coastal Sciences), New York University (Visual Culture, Vocal Performance), Seattle U (Law), Stanford (Medicine), Texas A & M (Wildlife/Fishery), University of Chicago (Social Service Administration), University of Puget Sound (Physical Therapy), and University of Washington (Chemistry, Dentistry).SURVEY RESULTS