Career outcomes for WMU students

You worked hard in classes, group projects, internships and individual research—now it’s your time to prosper in a meaningful career. For nine out of 10 Western grads, they got that job or got into that graduate school program shortly after graduation. If you take a closer look below, not only will you see where WMU graduates landed, but you’ll also see why choosing Western was the best career choice they could have made.

Alex Wojdylak wearing a cap and gown.

Where are WMU graduates now?

From the Fortune 500 and tech startups to the halls of academia, Western graduates land their dream career or position, like Alex Wojdylak, B.B.A.'23, who is a digital video specialist for FOX Sports in Los Angeles. See where our alums are putting their passion into practice.

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Zahi Sanchez holding up liquid in a lab.
You come out of Western already having all of this knowledge so you don't have to learn everything from zero (on the job); you already have a base and just have to build on it.
Zahi Sanchez, B.S.E.'23 chemical engineering (from Dominican Republic)

Employers and beyond

Sometimes, the numbers just speak for themselves. Like the fact that 91% of recent graduates working full time said they were satisfied with their job, earning a median salary of $50,000–$60,000 (based on 1,084 reported salaries). And 87% said their education and experiences as a student at Western prepared them for their profession.

Who employs WMU graduates?

AmazonFord Motor CompanyMeijerSummit Polymers
AscensionGraphic PackagingNational Air Space Intelligence CenterTarget
BoeingHersheyParker HannifinTesla
Charles River LaboratoriesHormel FoodsPfizerUnited Airlines
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionJohn F. Kennedy Center for Performing ArtsPlante MoranU.S. Air Force
Delta AirlinesKalamazoo Public SchoolsStrykerU.S. Army Corp of Engineers
EatonKellogg'sState of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦ÓàWhirlpool

  

Quinn Heiser in his cap and gown.
Some people have this preconceived notion that … Western isn't going to prepare you for the big leagues, but it absolutely did. I was, in fact, exceedingly capable of what I had to do. Western went above and beyond for me. I felt like the underdog who got to prove everyone wrong.
Quinn Heiser, B.S.'23, geography and philosophy (from Ypsilanti, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦ÓÃ)

Experience-driven learning

Often the best way to learn is by rolling up your sleeves and digging into a problem. That’s why 93% of Western students took the hands-on approach and completed at least one experience-driven learning activity, such as an internship, work-study program, or semester or yearlong academic project. This helped them gain some of the valuable, resume-worthy experiences and skills they later used to find their career after graduation. 

 

Continuing education

Every year, WMU graduates decide to take their education to the next level by pursuing a graduate degree. In 2022-23, 17% of graduates were furthering their education in more than 160 fields of study.