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 this data should
be addressed to Tina Loudon, Director, or Marcia Lewis, Associate Director,
(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).
