WWU graduates reflect on the realities of career readiness

As college students prepare to graduate, many wonder what the transition into the workforce will look like. According to recent data from the Western Washington University Office of Institutional Effectiveness, the employment rate for recent graduates six months after earning their degree sits around 86% with varying outcomes depending on their major.

Fields like nursing, computer science, and engineering report higher immediate employment rates, while graduates in arts, social sciences and certain humanities disciplines often take longer to find positions directly related to their studies.

Employment outcomes vary widely across majors. For Nahom Azmach, a computer science graduate from Western, the job market post-graduation was a stark contrast to expectations. Despite the university’s career services and advising resources, he said many computer science students struggled to find direct guidance tailored to current industry demands.

“Western’s computer science program was holistic and covered the material well, but when it came to finding jobs or internships after graduation, the support just wasn’t there,” Azmach said.

The rise of artificial intelligence has only widened that gap. Tools like GitHub, Copilot and ChatGPT have streamlined tasks such as code generation and debugging, reducing the need for large teams of entry-level developers. In the 2024 CompTIA Workforce and Learning Trends Reports, more than 41% of IT hiring managers now list AI proficiency as a preferred skill. 

Azmach also noted that schools like the University of Washington bring in alumni and maintain strong ties with tech companies in Seattle, creating a more direct pipeline for students. While Azmach points out gaps in mentorship, Andy Klein, an Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor at Western, emphasized that alumni engagement does occur at Western, although it could be more structured. Klein explained that his department brings alumni back to campus whenever possible. 

“Our alumni are one of our greatest resources, and we love having them come back to talk with current students,” Klein said in an email. “An important part of the very first, introductory electrical and computer engineering class (EECE 108), involves hosting alumni to come speak in class about their jobs so that new EECE students have some idea of what the career looks like.” 

The emphasis on student engagement demonstrates how alumni can inspire and guide current students, offering real-world and networking opportunities. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) provided the four primary modes of alumni engagement in their 2023 report (communication, experiential, philanthropic and volunteering), providing structure for significant enhancement in student success and institutional growth. 

For some graduates, however, connecting with these resources requires initiative, demonstrated by the experiences of older WWU alumni like Shiloh Britt. Britt graduated in 2016, with a major in environmental studies and minors in communications and environmental law, but didn’t secure full-time employment in her field after graduation. 

While she was able to take on temporary contract work, much of her experience was volunteer-based, and community-to-paid positions outside Bellingham quickly became unsustainable. 

Britt noted that her communications minor prepared her to develop networking skills and connect with experienced professionals, which ultimately opened doors for opportunities that weren’t available through her degree alone. “I feel like my communications minor helped me more than anything, because it teaches you how to talk to people, and how to prep for interviews,” Britt said. 

“Yes, what you know is very important, but networking, more than anything, is so important,” Britt continued. “If you’re a student, get out there, get with local organizations that you’re interested in working with, and volunteer. Get it so that your name is known. That’s the only way I was able to get some of these contracts.” 

While Britt’s experience highlights the importance of networking and balancing personal priorities with career goals, Caleb Bonilla Stevenson, a former Western student and a recent University of Washington graduate, offers a different view. Unlike Britt, Stevenson acknowledged that he hadn’t prioritized networking or career preparation as much during his early years at Western. “Honestly, I wasn’t as intentional about making connections or seeking out opportunities earlier on,” Stevenson admitted.

He eventually transitioned from Western to the University of Washington, where he completed his degree in entrepreneurial studies, which he claims isn’t used much in his current career, but somewhat aligns. He clarified that his early challenges weren’t the fault of either school’s preparation, but rather his own engagement with the professional ecosystem. 

At Western, the Marketing program provides structured support to prepare students for the workforce through Professional Career Readiness courses (BUS 310 and BUS 410), put in place to help students build resumes, practice interviews and develop networking skills. The program also provides hands-on experience through for-credit internships and participation in events like Meet the Professionals, networking sessions and the Marketing Alumni Holiday Social.

While these structured programs provide valuable tools and exposure, Ph.D Edwin Love, Chair of the Finance and Marketing Department at Western, emphasizes that students’ success also depends on their initiative and engagement with the professional environment, highlighting the importance of actively leveraging opportunities alongside institutional support.

“About 75 to 80% of all professional jobs that anyone gets, they get through their network. We really try to enhance the quality of the network that students have access to, and train them on how to make the most of that network.” Love said.

While Western emphasizes structured support and networking, alumni from other universities in Washington also highlight the interplay of academic preparation and proactive engagement. Abudeen Dumbuya is a 2023 biology graduate from St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Dumbuya reflected on how his coursework, research and networking experiences prepared him for his current role as a supervisor in the healthcare field. 

According to Dumbuya, his final-year research project, which included presenting findings to alumni and collaborating in a team, built confidence and leadership skills that directly translated to supervising staff and communicating with clients in professional roles. He emphasized that success relies on both structured opportunities provided by his school and his own initiative to engage with them. “I would say it was like a collective effort, from networking, the research, the internship, and all that,” Dumbuya said. 

Similarly, Britt and Azmach noted that the location of Western in Bellingham affected the availability of local jobs and big corporations. Shiloh added that staying close to family led her to focus on volunteer and internship experience rather than paid positions. 

"I think the biggest difference between UW and Western is the amount of people in the city, which really changes the economy of how many people are hiring in that area and willing to go out all the way to Bellingham to recruit talent.” Stevenson said.

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