The Saint Mary’s Office of Institutional Research conducted the annual “Graduation Destination Survey” to find out what students are doing after graduation.
According to the survey, of the 320 women in the class of 2015, 274 responded for a response rate of 85.6 percent.
The data showed that 52.6 percent of the class of 2015 will enter the work force, 26.6 percent will go on to graduate school, 10.1 percent will participate in externships and internships, and 6.1 percent have committed to voluntary service.
Director of Career Crossings Stacie Jeffirs said compared to last year's survey, the number of students pursuing voluntary service is just about the same. She said the number was 6.1 percent this year and 6.8 percent last year, which is the equivalent of about a two-student difference.
The results showed that 4.3 percent answered “other” to the survey. Jeffirs said the other category includes fellowships, continuing at Notre Dame to obtain an engineering degree, starting a business or entrepreneurship and other plans.
The survey revealed less than .5 percent will go on to military service.
Jeffirs said the survey data is representative of Saint Mary’s mission.
“The College prepares students to go out and pursue wherever their passions may lie, whether this is a workplace setting through employment or post-grad internships/externships, graduate/professional school, military service or voluntary service,” Jeffirs said.
After graduating, senior Marissa Pié will work at Southwest Airlines corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Pié interned with Southwest last summer.
“I've accepted a job in the marketing department on the Customer Segment and Engagement team,” Pié said. “After such an incredible internship experience with the company, I could not be more excited to get to work.”
Pié said Saint Mary’s has gone above and beyond in terms of preparing her for the workforce.
“It was at Saint Mary's that I discovered my confidence, learned how to effectively communicate and maintain relationships and pushed myself to reach my full potential,” she said.
Before Saint Mary’s, Pié said she lacked self-confidence and was afraid to speak her mind.
“Saint Mary's has equipped me not only with technical and professional knowledge, but a sense of self-assurance that I am sure will transcend into the workplace,” she said. “Receiving a liberal arts education pushed me, but also made me realize I could do anything with a little bit of hard work.”
Pié said professors at Saint Mary’s have become friends and confidants. The whole college community supports and encourages growth of students, she said.
“Everyone here wants you to succeed and will go that extra mile in order for that to happen,” she said. “Additionally, Saint Mary's taught me the importance of taking risks and leaving my comfort zone. After returning from a semester abroad in Seville, Spain as a mere sophomore, I could tell my perspective and world view would be forever changed.”
