Despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Skidmore College graduates demonstrated remarkable resilience and achieved significant success in their post-graduate endeavors. A new report from Skidmore’s Career Development Center (CDC) reveals that an impressive 85% of the Class of 2020 secured employment or pursued further education and opportunities, proving their adaptability and the enduring value of a Skidmore education in a changing world. For those seeking 2020 Post Graduate Career Programs New York offered a wealth of opportunities, and Skidmore graduates were well-prepared to seize them, alongside options across the nation and internationally.
“Our graduates are finding jobs or getting into the graduate schools of their dreams, a remarkable accomplishment that illustrates how prepared they were to adapt to a rapidly changing market as well as their innate resilience and flexibility,” notes Kim Crabbe, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Career Development.
This encouraging data comes from the First Destinations Report, which surveyed 70% of Skidmore’s 639 graduates from the Class of 2020 within six months of graduation. The comprehensive report offers a valuable snapshot of graduate outcomes, detailing employment sectors, leading employers, graduate programs, salary ranges, and the impact of internship experiences.
Megan Jackson, Associate Director at the CDC and author of the report, emphasizes Skidmore’s dedication to career support: “This report speaks to Skidmore’s commitment to supporting students and graduates in their pursuit of a variety of career paths. For 2020-2021, it’s encouraging to see Skidmore graduates performing comparatively well to the class years before them who entered more welcoming and thriving job markets.” The survey methodology aligns with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) guidelines, ensuring data standardization and comparability.
Key Highlights of the Class of 2020 Outcomes
- 85% of Skidmore respondents reported successful placement in employment, internships, graduate programs, service roles, or fellowships. This high rate of success underscores the strong career foundation provided by Skidmore, even amidst economic uncertainty.
- 88% of graduates completed at least one internship before graduating, with a significant 75% completing two or more internships. This experiential learning is a crucial component of Skidmore’s curriculum, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market, including competitive sectors in New York career programs.
- 74% of respondents considered their current position to be either “very related” or “somewhat related” to their long-term career aspirations. This alignment highlights the effectiveness of Skidmore’s career advising and academic programs in guiding students toward fulfilling career paths.
- 73% reported their current role was “very related” or “somewhat related” to their field of study, demonstrating the practical application of their liberal arts education.
While the percentage of graduates actively seeking employment was slightly higher than previous years (14%, compared to 10% for the Class of 2019), this occurred during a period when the U.S. Department of Labor reported unemployment rates exceeding 20% for the 20-24 year-old demographic. Despite this challenging landscape, Skidmore graduates showed remarkable success. Among those employed who shared salary information (60%), median salaries ranged from $30,000 to $60,000, with 20% earning over $50,000 annually.
Industry Destinations for Skidmore Graduates
The diverse career interests of Skidmore graduates are reflected in the wide range of industries they entered. The top sectors chosen by the Class of 2020 include:
- Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications (16%)
- Education and Training (14%)
- Business Management and Administration (14%)
- Health Science (11%)
- Finance (10%)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) (9%)
- Marketing (8%)
- Human Services (5%)
- Government (4%)
- Other (9%)
Distribution of Industries for Skidmore College Class of 2020 Graduates
This variety underscores the versatility of a Skidmore degree and the broad applicability of a liberal arts education in today’s job market, including thriving sectors within post graduate career programs in New York.
Leading Employers and Prestigious Graduate Schools
Skidmore graduates have joined a diverse array of prominent organizations and pursued advanced degrees at top institutions. Examples of employers chosen by the Class of 2020 include:
- AIG
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- BBC News
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Capital One
- Columbia University (New York City)
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- IBM
- KPMG
- McKinsey Consulting
- NPR
- Office of the New York State Attorney General
- Saratoga Hospital (New York)
- Sotheby’s (New York City)
- Success Academy Charter Schools (New York City)
And a selection of graduate institutions and programs pursued by the Class of 2020:
- Boston University, Physical Therapy
- Brown University, Public Humanities
- Columbia University (New York City), Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology
- Cornell University (New York), Accounting
- Dartmouth College, Engineering
- Duke University, Business
- New York University (New York City), Data Science
- Syracuse University (New York), Illustration
- The Johns Hopkins University, Data Science
- University of Chicago, Public Policy
- University of Connecticut, Law
- University of Texas, Law
The strong representation of employers and graduate schools in New York highlights the state as a significant destination for Skidmore graduates seeking post graduate career programs.
Alumni Spotlights: Class of 2020 Success Stories
The First Destinations Report also features inspiring stories of individual graduates, showcasing the diverse paths and achievements of the Class of 2020:
Brianna Logan ’20 is leveraging her Skidmore education as a Client Success Manager at Qnary in New York City, where she helps C-suite executives manage their personal brands. Her role in a dynamic New York City company exemplifies the opportunities available to Skidmore graduates in competitive markets.
Faisal Namanya ’20 is working as an Analyst at MUFG Bank in New York City, on the Securitized Products team. His success in securing a position in the New York financial sector, following an internship, demonstrates Skidmore’s strong connections to industry and its graduates’ preparedness for demanding roles within New York career programs.
Nathan Smail ’20 is pursuing a Master’s degree in Geology at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík, showcasing the global reach of Skidmore graduates and their pursuit of advanced studies internationally.
Elizabeth Levy ’20 is making her mark in athletics as an Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, illustrating the diverse career fields Skidmore graduates enter.
Lauren Michelle ’20 is on the front lines of public health as a Case Investigator and Community Health Worker for the Baltimore City Health Department, highlighting Skidmore graduates’ commitment to service and community impact.
Jordan Alvarez ’20 is pursuing a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at Auburn University, focusing his research on the impacts of mental health stigmas on ethnic minorities, demonstrating Skidmore graduates’ dedication to advanced scholarship and social justice.
Conclusion
The First Destinations Report for the Class of 2020 provides compelling evidence of the enduring value of a Skidmore College education. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, these graduates have launched successful careers and pursued advanced studies across a wide range of fields and locations, including thriving 2020 post graduate career programs in New York. Their achievements reflect their resilience, adaptability, and the strong foundation provided by Skidmore’s rigorous academic programs and dedicated Career Development Center. The Class of 2020’s success story is an inspiration to future Skidmore students and a testament to the college’s commitment to preparing graduates for meaningful lives and careers.
