Tuesday, May 9, 2017
by Adam Grybowski
Within one year of graduation, 93 percent of Rider University’s undergraduate Class of 2016 was employed, pursuing graduate study or volunteering, according to an alumni survey conducted by Rider’s Career Development and Success.
The majority of respondents (72 percent) were employed, with 20 percent in graduate school and one percent volunteering. Six percent were seeking employment, with one percent not planning to enter the job market.
Of those who earned a graduate degree from Rider in 2016, 94 percent were employed and three percent were pursuing further graduate studies. Only two percent were seeking employment, with one percent not planning on entering the job market.
“Having engaged and advised many Rider students from the Class of 2016, Career Development and Success is proud of the terrific job, volunteer and continued education opportunities they are pursuing,” says Kim Barberich, executive director of Career Development and Success.
To conduct the survey, Career Development contacted 989 undergraduates and 350 graduate students. Nearly 82 percent of undergraduates and 72 percent of graduates responded. The goal of the survey was to learn more about the career choices and outcomes of Rider graduates.
Close to 150 employers have hired alumni of the Class of 2016. These include the Walt Disney Company and Sesame Place; Ernst & Young and Pricewaterhouse Coopers; ESPN and Yelp; the New York Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Department of Defense, and many more.
Alumni who are pursuing graduate studies are enrolled at Columbia, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Yale and several more prestigious universities and professional schools across the U.S.
Nearly three out of four alumni, or 71 percent, who responded to the survey and are now employed benefitted from hands-on experience through internships, co-ops or student teaching placements while at Rider. Providing hands-on experience, where students can begin to apply the knowledge they gain in the classroom to real-world situations, is a cornerstone of engaged learning at Rider University.
Experts in Career Development help students make the discoveries and decisions that guide their professional lives. In 2016, career advisors assisted more than 1,100 students and presented 150 career-focused workshops. During multiple career fairs, 276 employers visited Rider, giving students the opportunity to network and meet potential employers face to face.
In addition to supporting current students, Career Development also provides Rider alumni with support in their job search, including help with opportunities and one-on-one career counseling.