Survey Finds Strong Employment and Education Outcomes for Recent University of New Haven Graduates

As a student at the University of New Haven, Vanessa Strohm '19 enjoyed the opportunities she had to conduct research outside of the classroom. Her fieldwork brought her to the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, where she snorkeled near reefs, collected samples of coral and algae, and analyzed them in the lab.

While completing an internship at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium in Sarasota Florida, she studied the harmful algal species that causes red tide, a phenomenon that can harm marine and human life.

"Studying in the Bahamas was a truly eye-opening experience in which my classmates and I were able to get out of our comfort zone and fully immerse ourselves in fieldwork," said Strohm, who earned bachelor's degrees in marine biology and environmental science. "I have been able to carry over my experience with water quality testing that I gained at University of New Haven to my current position."

Now a post-graduate associate in the Khokha Lab at Yale University, Strohm is part of the team studying genetic abnormalities in children that are caused by mutations, which can be identified through genetic testing. The lab uses frogs for testing, and Strohm maintains a colony of approximately 10,000 of them. She also assists with experiments, such as genotyping frog embryos to identify mutations.

"The best way to learn new techniques and skills is to get out in the field, and that is exactly what I was able to do at the University of New Haven."Vanessa Strohm '19

Strohm is one of the many members of the University of New Haven’s Class of 2019 who has found success after graduating. As the newest Employment Outcomes Survey has revealed, nearly 95 percent of graduates who earned a bachelor's degree are employed full or part time, continuing their education, in active military service, or engaged in a post-graduate service position within a year of graduating.

Using online surveys, research, and phone calls, the Career Development Center's Employment Outcomes Survey determined that nearly three quarters of the members of the Class of 2019 are employed in the field of their major.

"The University of New Haven continues to see the outcome of our emphasis on experiential learning and our professionally focused education pay off for our graduates, as evidenced by our high career outcomes rates for both our graduate and undergraduate classes," said Matt Caporale, executive director of the University's Career Development Center. "Career preparation is in our DNA, where the post-graduation success of our students is a testament to our faculty, staff, students, and alumni network. We truly embody the 'village' approach to career preparation, where an ecosystem of support, opportunity, hands-on experience, mentorship, and competency development, combined with the drive and ambition of our students, creates career success."

The numbers were just as high for graduate students in the University's Class of 2019, for which the career outcomes rate is also nearly 95 percent. More than 82 percent of those who earned a graduate degree – including Tanisha Mair '19 MBA/MPA – are now working full-time in their field.

Mair joined Raytheon Technologies' Human Resources Leadership Program last year. The program includes three eight-month assignments in human resource disciplines across diverse business units.

Now in her second rotation of the program, Mair is working in Brooklyn as a human resources business partner, where she is learning about the new technologies that are emerging in the aerospace industry.

"I received an applied degree that covered management across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors," she said. "Attending classes with a diverse group of thought leaders prepared me to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders from various backgrounds. I learned to present professional-grade work to stakeholders at different levels of an organization."

The Career Development Center also found that nearly 30 percent of undergraduates in the Class of 2019 are continuing their education. Strohm, the post-graduate associate at Yale, is among them. This fall, she will begin her graduate degree in marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

"The best way to learn new techniques and skills is to get out in the field, and that is exactly what I was able to do at the University of New Haven," she said. "I wouldn't have been able to accomplish my goal of getting accepted into this graduate program without the preparation I received at the University of New Haven. I am forever grateful for the hard work and dedication of my professors."