Grads Move Onward and Upward

91 percent of survey respondents said the university prepared them for that next step in their career path. Althea Dotzour

According to a UW survey, 90 percent of respondents who earned a bachelor’s degree from UW–Madison in 2024–25 are now employed, engaged in entrepreneurship, serving in the military, contributing through volunteer organizations, or pursuing continuing education. And 91 percent of survey respondents said the university prepared them for that next step in their career path.

Katie Cervenka ’25 is employed as a communications and development associate for Wisconsin’s Driftless Area Land Conservancy and was quickly able to put her degree in life sciences communication and wildlife ecology to work.

“Beyond academics, a close-knit community and career development within my college helped me build confidence early in my career,” Cervenka says. “Internships, networking opportunities, and leadership roles gave me the experience and mentorship to step into the professional world with purpose.”

The survey, known as the First Destination Survey, found that recent graduates took jobs in 46 states as well as 36 countries outside the U.S., with a median full-time salary of $73,000.

More than a quarter of 2024–25 graduates who responded to the survey had plans to continue their education, with law, business, and computer sciences noted as the top three fields.

The graduates’ success reflects both their hard work and the university’s commitment to preparing students with the skills they need beyond their undergraduate education. Thanks to UW–Madison’s many career service offices and close partnerships with industry, the university is nationally recognized for preparing students for their next chapter after graduation.

Published in the Summer 2026 issue