The following was originally published as an online exclusive for the W&M Alumni Magazine. – Ed.
Building on its sustained excellence in student outcomes, William & Mary continues to stand out as a top university for careers, according to a recent survey of the Class of 2025.
Of the 88% of members of the Class of 2025 that responded to the university’s latest Next Destination Survey, 92% reported positive career outcomes — either employed or attending graduate or professional school — within six months of graduation, according to survey data. Of those employed, 96% reported that their jobs aligned with their career interests.
At a time when recent graduates nationally face a challenging entry-level job market — one increasingly being reshaped by artificial intelligence — William & Mary continues to buck broader trends by delivering exceptionally strong career outcomes.
“In a rapidly changing economy, William & Mary continues to distinguish itself through exceptional career readiness and access to meaningful internships,” said Chief Career Officer and Associate Vice President for Advancement Kathleen Powell. “These survey results reflect our shared commitment to ensuring students graduate with the experience and skills to build meaningful careers.”
The survey’s strong returns highlight the university’s commitment to preparing students for their careers. In 2025, Princeton Review ranked William & Mary sixth among public universities for internships and in the top 20 for career placement. Forbes listed William & Mary as one of the nation’s 10 public “New Ivies” for the second consecutive year in 2026, based on a survey of more than 100 C-suite and hiring executives. The Forbes list recognized institutions preparing graduates to succeed in a workforce being reshaped by artificial intelligence.
William & Mary provides students with access to career ready resources. The university’s Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement is recognized as a leader across higher education, offering programming to include workshops, treks, shadowing experience, access to employers and connections to networks.
The office works to ensure every undergraduate has access to a funded internship, regardless of financial circumstances. Through the Funding for Unpaid and Underfunded Student Experiences program, eligible students can pursue unpaid or underfunded internships that might otherwise be beyond their reach. For four consecutive years, the university has fulfilled every qualified request for internship funding. Students also have access to TribeCareers, powered by Symplicity, where 24,000 internship opportunities across a wide range of industries are posted each year. Other applied learning opportunities include the TribeShadow externship program, which allows students to shadow professionals in their chosen field.
William & Mary ranks fifth nationally in student-to-career staff ratio according to NACE, reflecting the university’s commitment to personalized career support, top-tier resources and outstanding opportunities for student success. The university also ranks first among all public Virginia universities in the metric, ensuring students receive the highest level of career guidance and mentorship in the state.
The university’s commitment to career success extends long after students graduate. In fact, W&M’s value proposition is a career partner for life. William & Mary students and alumni can join One Network, which connects members of the university community to explore career possibilities. The university also supports its alumni with programming such as networking events, webinars and career advising.
Careers were a major initiative in William & Mary’s Vision 2026 strategic plan. As the university works to develop its next strategic plan, graduate and alumni outcomes remain a key pillar.