Career Outcomes for Recent Graduates Outpace National Averages

Whether it’s garnering that first job, or continuing their education through advanced studies, William Paterson University graduates are outpacing the national average in such outcomes six months after graduation.

Overall, 86 percent of the Class of 2022—the most recent graduates for which there is data—were employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. This is 4 percent higher than the national average of 82 percent, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

The data was gathered from NACE’s annual First Destination Survey, which captures information on a national scale regarding how new college graduates fare in their careers within six months of graduation.

Outcomes for students from all four of the University’s academic colleges were above the national average. In addition, of those who were employed, 88 percent were employed full-time, and more than 80 percent accepted employment in New Jersey.

“We are excited to see a positive trend in outcomes for our graduates,” says Mary Alice Barrows, the University’s director of career development, who notes that William Paterson’s graduates have outpaced the national averages for the third year in a row. “The Office of Career Development is working closely with the academic deans and the faculty to increasingly integrate career preparation in the curriculum, which will benefit our students when they graduate.”

In addition, 97 percent of students in the Class of 2022 who participated in the University’s Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, which individually matches students with a mentor who can offer them career advice and guidance, were employed or continuing their education. This is 4 percent above the national average for private institutions, and 15 percent above the overall national average.

Barrows expects the positive trend to continue, thanks to the University’s enhanced focus on student success. Career development activities are included in Will. Power. 101 and 102, William Paterson’s two-semester course for incoming students. In addition, every new first-year student is now assigned a career coach as part of their Student Success Team, which also includes a professional staff advisor and a financial aid counselor.

“All students now have a four-year career development plan,” says Barrows. “We want students to be thinking early and often about their career aspirations, and to give them the tools they need to attain their professional goals.”

06/12/24