Kalamazoo Times

Western Michigan University is celebrating the success of its graduates, according to the latest Career Outcomes Report. The report reveals that 95% of graduates who were working full-time found employment related to their degrees. The findings cover students who graduated between August 2023 and June 2024.

Noah Gould, a 2024 engineering graduate, credited WMU’s engineering program with preparing him for a successful career. Gould had secured a job as a manufacturing engineer before graduating. He stated, "Western's engineering program prepared me for success by providing resources to help me find different internships and jobs while also helping me build my resume."

Industrial and entrepreneurial engineering graduate, Julia Haas, spoke about the demand for WMU graduates. "Our professors tell us they get a lot of feedback from companies saying they want to hire Broncos," Haas said. "It's nice to know that there is a demand for me outside of here as soon as I graduate."

Navia Walker, who earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU, shared her personal growth experience, saying, "I've grown professionally, I feel so much more confident and I've had experiences that prepared me for my career."

WMU President Edward Montgomery noted the importance of graduates to Michigan’s economy, stating: “Our latest student success outcomes reaffirm what we already know: Our students are succeeding at record rates while building meaningful careers and contributing to Michigan’s economic growth. We’re also proud that so many of our alumni are staying in the state after graduation, strengthening our local communities and driving statewide prosperity.”

Top employers for WMU graduates include health care organizations such as Bronson Healthcare and Ascension Michigan, global medical innovators like Stryker and Pfizer, and local school districts including Kalamazoo and Portage Public Schools. Additionally, 19% of graduates opted to pursue further education.

The annual Post-Graduation Activity Survey collected data from 2,859 graduates, accounting for 73% of those who earned degrees. According to the report, 97% of Broncos felt their instructors made them excited about learning, and 94% of graduates are either employed or pursuing further education.

The University also detailed positive student feedback about their experiences at WMU. Dr. Ewa Urban, director of assessment and effectiveness, mentioned the feedback regarding student belonging and preparation for careers: "There were so many positive comments about graduates feeling Western is a great place, having welcoming spaces and feeling like they belong. A lot of people talked about the opportunities they had to prepare for their career and hands-on learning."

Overall, the report highlights the continued success of Western Michigan University in preparing its students for the workforce.

Explore the Career Outcomes Report dashboard online for more information.

For further news, events, and updates, visit WMU News online.