Report shows improving job market for graduates

The results of the Western Washington University 2013-14 employment survey indicate continuing improvement in the job market for recent graduates, with field-related hiring and average starting salaries both increasing.

Western bachelor’s degree recipients reported the largest gains. Eighty-three percent reported employment within six months of graduation (up one percent from 2012-2013), and field-related employment increased to 60 percent from last year’s 53 percent.

Average starting salaries were also up 5 percent, increasing to $39,049 from the previous survey’s $37,097.

Top employers of recent WWU bachelor’s degree graduates include (in order): AmeriCorps, Boeing, Amazon, Nordstrom, Costco, Faithlife Corporation, Mount Vernon School District, Target and Zulily.

Overall employment for recipients of teaching certificates improved to 96 percent this year, with more than three-quarters employed as teachers within the state of Washington.

The employment rate for WWU master’s degree recipients was 93 percent, a notable increase from 84 percent in the previous survey’s results.

The value of internship experience was again strongly supported by this year’s survey results. Graduates with internship experience again found employment sooner and reported an average starting salary eight percent higher than students without internship experience.

Graduates continuing their education was up to 11.2 percent over the previous year’s result of 10.5 percent, and was highest in Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Physics and Mathematics.

Complete survey results can be found on the Career Services Center’s website for this year and years past can be found online at: http://www.wwu.edu/careers/.

For more information, visit the Career Services Center offices in Old Main 280, or call (360) 650-3240.