Despite a rainy Wednesday afternoon, 60 students made their way to the Employer Connection Fair on September 30 to meet with representatives from 13 organizations spanning healthcare, nonprofit, finance, education, energy, and other industries. 

The fair gave students a chance to have real conversations with employers in a low-pressure setting (some came directly from team practices). Students collected information, asked questions, learned about different paths after graduation, and made personal connections. Many of the employers in attendance have open summer internships posted in Handshake!

Senior Jazmin Ramos said, “I really enjoyed seeing K-Alumni during the connection fair, it was easy to connect and ask about life after K. I asked about how their experiences during their academic years shaped their professional careers now. I enjoyed talking to Consumers Credit Union about their work environment and jobs available for new grads!”

For employers, the event was also an opportunity to meet K students and learn more about the diverse experiences and skillsets they bring to the workplace. Following the fair, several participating employers shared positive feedback about the students they met and the conversations they had. One said, “It was very well organized, well attended and we met some great potential candidates!”

Connection Fairs happen Week 3 of each term, and are one of the ways the CCPD helps students connect what they are learning at K with opportunities beyond. Stay tuned for Winter Term’s Employer Connection Fair on what is the date and Spring Term’s Graduate School Fair on what is the date.

The Career Studio is open again this fall! Drop by starting today with your “Life After K” questions, no appointment needed.

Students describe it as “such a nice, friendly place,” somewhere they’ve “gotten so much out of” and left with “all of their questions answered, plus questions they didn’t even know they had.” Need your resume looked over? Prepping for an interview? Not sure where to even start on an internship search? Come find a Career Advisor.

Dewing 102:

• Monday–Friday, 11 am–2 pm
• Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 5–7 pm

Open Weeks 2–10, closed on College holidays and breaks. Drop in as often as you like. Even ten minutes can leave you with a next step!

Insights from the National Alumni Career Mobility Survey 

Understanding the Long-Term Value of a Kalamazoo College Education 

Every year, Kalamazoo College tracks the first destinations of its graduates: where they work, attend graduate school, or pursue other opportunities immediately after commencement. While these data are valuable, they tell only part of the story. 

To better understand the long-term impact of a K education, Kalamazoo College partnered with Lightcast to administer the National Alumni Career Mobility (NACM) Survey in Fall 2024. More than 2,170 alumni representing graduating classes from 1955–2024 participated, providing one of the most comprehensive pictures we’ve ever had of the lives and careers of Kalamazoo graduates.  

A Closer Look at Recent Alumni 

While the NACM Survey includes responses from alumni who graduated between 1955 and 2024, this page highlights graduates from 2014–2019. These graduates are far enough beyond graduation to have established careers, completed graduate education, and reflected on the long-term value of their Kalamazoo experience, while still being close enough to today’s students that their experiences reflect the current K-Plan and today’s workforce.  

Alumni Build Meaningful Careers

Five to ten years after graduation, Kalamazoo alumni report strong career outcomes.  

• 86% say their work is meaningful.  

• 84% report using skills developed through their Kalamazoo education in their current positions.  

• 89% say their work continues to provide opportunities to learn and grow.  

• 85% report being satisfied with their careers.  

These findings suggest that a K education prepares graduates for careers that continue to evolve over time.

Liberal Arts Skills Continue to Matter 

The survey also asked alumni to reflect on the skills they developed while at Kalamazoo College. Among graduates from 2014–2019: 

• 97% say their education strengthened their critical thinking.  

• 94% report stronger communication skills.  

• 86% developed adaptability.  

• 83% strengthened teamwork skills.  

These findings closely mirror the skills employers consistently identify as essential for today’s workforce and reinforce the enduring value of a liberal arts education in preparing graduates with durable human skills for a rapidly changing world of work. 

Experiences Shape Careers 

The experiences students have while at Kalamazoo continue to shape their careers years after graduation. Among 2014–2019 graduates: 

• 90% participated in at least one high-impact educational experience, including internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, or service learning.  

• 70% studied abroad.  

• 68% completed an internship or related experience.  

• 43% earned an additional degree after graduating from Kalamazoo College.  

Faculty Matter 

One of the strongest themes emerging from the survey is the important role faculty play in students’ career development. Among alumni who graduated between 2014 and 2019: 

• 80% reported receiving career advice from a faculty member.  

• 87% said that advice was helpful.  

• 51% identified a faculty member as the institutional person who helped them most with their career. 

Learning from Our Alumni 

One of the goals of participating in the NACM Survey was to learn from our alumni. Their experiences help us better understand what prepares graduates for meaningful work, continued growth, and lifelong career development. Those insights continue to shape the CCPD’s work as we collaborate with faculty, staff, alumni, and employers to strengthen career-connected learning across the Kalamazoo experience.