Putting their diplomas to work

New survey results show 96 percent of recent Boston College graduates are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or engaged in a fellowship or volunteer experience

The transition from college to the real world hasn’t seemed to faze the Class of 2024.

Within six months of collecting their diplomas, 96 percent of graduates were employed, attending graduate school, or engaged in a fellowship or volunteer opportunity, according to survey results released by the Boston College Office of Institutional Research & Planning and the ĢƵ Career Center.

The findings reiterate the power of a Boston College liberal arts education to equip graduates with skills employers seek, while helping them identify careers that suit their talents and interests. 

"Watching our most recent alumni pursue their goals, whether it’s through jobs, service, or graduate programs, is especially gratifying,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Akua Sarr. “Their success is a reflection of both their academic and personal growth while at Boston College.”

According to the survey, 75 percent of graduates entered the workforce, representing a broad range of industries from healthcare to education. The majority (35 percent) chose jobs in financial services while 17 percent work in healthcare and the sciences at prestigious institutions like Children’s Hospital Boston and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Thirteen percent pursued careers in consulting, business, or entrepreneurship, and another seven percent are employed in the technology and engineering sectors.

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A majority of students (71 percent) said they utilized resources offered by the Boston College Career Center to secure their employment. Many took advantage of the Center’s robust networking platforms to connect with potential mentors and employers, and used their Handshake accounts to find job listings.  

“We encourage students to see career development not just as a path to employment, but as part of a larger journey of self-discovery,” said Joseph Du Pont, associate vice president for career services and integrated learning. “We help students reflect on their gifts, explore how they might use them in service to others, and pursue work that aligns with their values and aspirations.”

Of the 19 percent attending graduate school, approximately two-thirds (72 percent) are pursuing master’s degrees and 12 percent are pursuing a J.D. The top areas of study are business (25 percent); science, technology, engineering, and math (18 percent); law (13 percent); and education (12 percent). The most popular graduate schools include Boston College, Columbia, Yale, University of Chicago, and Cornell.

A smaller portion of graduates (2 percent) have chosen to pursue fellowships or volunteer opportunities. The most popular volunteer commitments include the Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and AmeriCorps.

In determining their post-graduation plans, many students drew from formative experiences like internships, leadership positions, or research projects with faculty members. Eighty-five percent of survey respondents participated in an internship during their time at ĢƵ, and 71 percent spent time doing community service or volunteer work outside of class. 

“A Jesuit education invites students to look inward and ask who they are called to be in the world,” said Du Pont. “Whether through internships, research, service, or on-campus work, our students discover what gives them joy and purpose—and that clarity often shapes the meaningful work they pursue after graduation.”

The findings reported by the Office of Institutional Research & Planning represent 79 percent of the Class of 2024. Most data was collected through an online survey sent to graduates between May and December of last year. The rest was obtained from National Student Clearinghouse, Boston College data, and public data.