JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 15, 2020 — Within six months of receiving their degree, 98 percent of Union鈥檚 class of 2019 were employed or enrolled in graduate school, according to an 鈥淯ndergraduate First-Destination Survey鈥� conducted by Union鈥檚 Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career.
In 2018 and 2017, Union鈥檚 placement rates were 95 percent, and in 2016 it was 91 percent. These studies were conducted in compliance with standards of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Union鈥檚 98 percent placement rate is about 12 points above the national placement rate average of 85.7 percent in 2018 (the most recent data). Union鈥檚 knowledge rate of its most recent study is 93 percent, which reflects how many placements of the 231 graduates are known.
Of those placements, 71 percent are employed, and most of those are full-time placements, said Alex Huguenard, director of the Vocatio Center. Almost 13 percent of graduates are in graduate school, and 14 percent are both employed and in graduate school. About 2 percent are still seeking employment or further education.
鈥淏eing well above the national average, I think it shows the value of a Union degree,鈥� Huguenard said. 鈥淲ith 98 percent certainty within six months, if students put forth the effort, they can find placement. The vast majority of them are meaningful placements.鈥�
Todosita Torres of Jackson, Tennessee, graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. Torres said that the people she met during her four years at Union have been a big part of her success today. Esperanza Gonzales, the Vocatio Center鈥檚 associate director for student success, not only helped Torres with her academic and career goals, but also became a friend and encourager.
鈥淭hanks to Esperanza鈥檚 help from the Vocatio Center, I was able to find my first 鈥榬eal job鈥� after graduation,鈥� Torres said. 鈥淎 couple of days before graduation, Esperanza had helped me apply for an internship opening at Paradoxe Corp., and two days after graduation I had an interview. This turned into a full-time position offer three days after my interview.鈥�
Torres currently works as a sale representative for Paradoxe and is also gaining a Master of Business Administration from Union.
鈥淚 never thought I would be where I am now as a first-generation graduate for my family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am excited to see where life takes me next.鈥�