When George Washington University students receive their diplomas before an audience of thousands on the National Mall, it marks the end of their undergraduate careers.
But the GW Commencement stage is also a launching pad for post-graduation success, according to the results of three surveys released Friday by the Center for Career Services, Office of Survey Research and Analysis and Development and Alumni Relations.
The results show that 86 percent of Class of 2014 graduates leveraged their GW education to secure employment, pursue a graduate or professional degree, or participate in military or volunteer service and other activities.
“It is inspiring to see recent graduates excel in an array of fields,” said Assistant Provost for University Career Services Rachel Brown. “Their continued success is a testament to the university-wide efforts of staff and faculty to help students achieve their educational and career goals.”
Participation more than doubled this year—up from 930 alumni respondents in 2014 to 2,090 alumni in 2015—thanks to a new methodology. The new survey method allows the university to align post-graduation outcomes against National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) standards.
The surveys measure the “first destination outcome” or all activities that recent graduates are engaged in. The process includes polling students on their post-graduate activities on three separate occasions: mid-March of their senior year, the summer following graduation, and November and December during their first post-graduate year.
The three sets of survey results were combined to create a comprehensive picture of recent graduate activities.
“Knowing first-destination outcomes of our graduates is important information for current students, as well as prospective students and their families, so that they are aware of the variety of employers, options and paths for our new graduates,” Ms. Brown said.
Kate Pena, B.B.A. ’14—an associate strategist at advertising giant McCann Erickson—is among the 55 percent of recent graduates who have full or part-time positions or are participating in military service.
Ms. Pena credits the “Introduction to Advertising” course taught by Professor of Marketing Lynda Maddox for setting her on a career path. The experience led her to compete with GW’s nationally recognized Capitol Advertising team.
She cites the resources at GW— alumni connections, informational interviews and internship opportunities—for “preparing her for the real world.”
“I was able to produce an advertising campaign and present to clients, and I fell in love,” Ms. Pena said. “GW taught me to be proactive in my job search and set myself up for a great future.”
Rayna Bachgi, B.A. ‘14, a double major in international affairs and dance, said that finding a job that combined her passions was made easier by support from professors, mentors, past-supervisors and peers.
“Ask for guidance,” Ms. Bagchi advised current students. “You never know what connections they will have and how willing they might be to offer those resources to you. GW's alumni community is more than 250,000 strong, and they are willing to lend a hand—just ask for it.”
Ms. Bagchi landed a job as a development assistant for individual giving at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in October 2014.
“Each class, internship, student organization and professor left a mark on me,” Ms. Bagchi said. “I immersed myself in internships with the Washington Ballet and the Kennedy Center and found a group of mentors in the Development and Alumni Relations staff who challenged me to grow professionally and personally.”
Like 79 percent of respondents, Ms. Pena and Ms. Bagchi have settled in the Mid-Atlantic region. Ms. Pena is among the 67 percent of survey participants working full-time at private, for-profit organizations, while Ms. Bagchi represents the 22 percent of recent graduates working full-time at a nonprofit organization.
CBS Corporation, D.C. Courts, Google, Macy’s, KPMG and Ernst & Young are among the range of employers where students have found jobs.
Recent graduates say continuing education is a major player in their post-graduate plans. Of the 21 percent of Class of 2014 graduates enrolled or planning to enroll in an academic program, 56 percent are working toward master’s degree and 24 percent are pursuing a law degree. Doctoral and medical degrees are at 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
GW students have gone on to study at a host of institutions including Harvard University, Copenhagen Business School, New Jersey Medical School, Vanderbilt University and University of Pennsylvania.
Danica Brown, B.A. ‘14, knew she wanted to be an attorney at eight years old, and in December of her senior year at GW, she began receiving acceptances to law schools.
Now, as a student at Howard Law School, she is actively working toward her dream.
“My experiences at GW have contributed greatly to my ‘smooth’ transition into law school,” the first-year law student said. “I have kept in touch with three professors who served as mentors during undergrad. They have graciously opened their networks to me and have continued to advise me through this journey.”
Ms. Brown said that the Center for Career Services would continue to support the success of recent graduates such as Danica Brown. She added that the comprehensive data provided by the NACE surveys would enhance the career services resources offered to alumni, recent graduates and current students.
“This information supports employer development efforts by helping us to build more contacts and identify employment and industry trends,” Ms. Brown said. “GW remains committed to supporting the career and professional development needs of GW students and alumni.”