Mines graduates continue to see overwhelmingly positive outcomes

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting their college careers, recent Mines graduates are reporting positive outcomes at an even higher percentage than their already successful predecessors, according to the 2022-2023 Career Center Annual Report.

A total of 95 percent of recent Mines alums had positive outcomes after graduation, the newest report shows, up from an already high positive outcome rate of 93 percent in 2021-2022. A positive outcome is defined as graduates committed to their first destination, including jobs in industry and government, military and service positions, as well as graduate or professional school and international students returning to their home countries. 

“The Mines Career Center is pleased to see positive results for our outstanding graduates as they pursue their diverse first destinations beyond Mines,” said Wendy Winter-Searcy, director of the Mines Career Center. “We are committed to helping those in the Mines community connect with employers as well as pursue advanced education as they seek fulfillment of their goals. Students’ hard work, character and innovation will truly make a difference in our world.”

Overall, the report shows an optimistic future for Mines graduates at all levels. Those who were awarded bachelor’s degrees in August 2022, December 2022 and May 2023 reported a 94 percent positive outcome rate. Certain majors – chemistry, economics, geophysical engineering, mining engineering and petroleum engineering – showed a 100 percent positive outcome rate. The median salary of bachelor’s graduates was $76,400 annually. 

Alumni who pursued graduate school were accepted into programs around the country, including at Stanford University, Columbia University and Northwestern University. But the majority favored staying here in Golden – 56 percent of those who chose graduate studies elected to continue their studies at Mines.

Mines alumni who completed graduate programs in 2022-2023 saw equally high rates of success. Positive outcomes were reported for 97 percent of master-level students and 98 percent for PhD students. 

The positive outcome numbers reflected in the report are visible in the increased attention from employers and recruiters. Nearly 1,500 organizations recruited or hired Mines students in the 2022-2023 academic year. On-campus interviews increased by 59 percent, information sessions increased by 25 percent and employer attendance at Career Days increased by 22 percent.

View the full report, with detailed breakdowns of the sectors Mines graduates enter and average starting salary by industry, at: https://www.mines.edu/careers/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/02/career-center-annual-report-2022-2023-digital-final.pdf