HIGH POINT, N.C., April 26, 2017 – High Point University seniors have positive news to celebrate. In addition to their graduation approaching on May 6, data collected by HPU in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards shows 95 percent of the Class of 2015 and the Class of 2016 were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Along with these impressive results, a recent NACE survey shows that the Class of 2017 enters a healthy job market as employers say they plan to hire 5.8 percent more college graduates than last year.
Already, many members of the Class of 2017 are launching careers at Fortune 500 Companies, financial firms, leading tech companies and businesses across the nation, while others have been accepted into prestigious law, medical and graduate school programs thanks to their journey at HPU.
Their success is fostered by HPU’s holistic learning environment. Below are ways that HPU is preparing its graduates to lead lives of significance, as well as tips from HPU’s Career and Professional Development team on how graduates can succeed in today’s workplace.
How HPU Prepares Graduates Select Highlights
— Niche career fairs. In collaboration with numerous academic schools and departments, HPU’s Career and Professional Development team hosts small career fairs that target specific populations and majors. This comes as an addition to a large-scale career and internship expo held in the fall.
— Assists students in landing impressive internships and full-time jobs with companies such as Amazon, PwC, Smucker’s, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Furnitureland South, BB&T, ADP, Ashley Furniture, Walt Disney World, Madison Square Garden, MLB, Pottery Barn, Gartner, Lenovo, SAS and many other prestigious companies and organizations.
— Increased internship opportunities. HPU engages parents, alumni and friends of the university in the new “Find One, Form One, Fund One” program. Participants are invited to identify an existing internship at their place of employment, create a new internship or make a donation to support stipends for students who need assistance with housing expenses while interning away from home.
— Current successful students serve as Peer Career Advisors, helping students with resume reviews, LinkedIn profiles and tips for finding internships during office drop-in hours. Student visits to the career center during drop-in hours are up 40 percent over last year.
— Organizes the annual “HPU in the City” fall break trip that takes a group of students to NYC for two days of employer site visits, information sessions and networking.
— Career Advisors don’t wait for students to come to them, they go to the students. The Career Team delivered over 150 presentations to a variety of classes across campus during the 2016-2017 school year.
