Career Outcomes Surveys

New York University continues to have among the most successful graduates in the country, with historically high career outcomes rates for respondents within six months of graduation. Survey results support the fact that savvy, experienced, and well-prepared students emerge from NYU benefiting from the support and encouragement of the timely and strategic initiatives of the Wasserman Center.

Highlights of the Undergraduate Class of 2021

Infographic 3. Length of time to secure employment. See full description in Accessible Infographics expandable text.

Infographic 2. Percentage of students working and in graduate school. See full description in Accessible Infographics expandable text.

Infographic 4. Usage of NYU and Wasserman resources. See full description in Accessible Infographics expandable text.

Infographic 5. Top industries for employment. See full description in Accessible Infographics expandable text.

Accessible Infographics

Infographic 1
Silhouette of a college graduate.
95.14% of graduates are working or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation

Infographic 2
Briefcase icon. Of the 95.14% of graduates who were working or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation, 76.96% were working.
Textbook icon. 21.97% were in graduate school.
Computer icon. 1.07% were working and in graduate school.

Infographic 3
Timeline graphic.
45.8% secured a job before graduation.
30.6% secured a job within three months.
23.6% secured a job more than three months after graduation.

Infographic 4
Silhouette of a hand making a thumbs up.
88.39% secured a position through an NYU or Wasserman resource

Infographic 6
Piggy bank icon showing mean salary is $71,128.
Dollar bills icon showing mean signing bonus is $11,976.

Infographic 9
Icon of a key.
Information was collected from Class of 2021 graduates resulting in a 70.66% knowledge rate.

Since the 1990s, the Wasserman Center for Career Development has conducted the annual Life Beyond the Square survey to detail the post-baccalaureate plans of NYU undergraduate and graduate students. The data collected are used to understand where NYU students engage in career exploration and where they go immediately post-graduation, including both employment and graduate or professional school enrollment. The Wasserman Center's career outcomes surveys have been an invaluable tool in determining the career development and employment needs of NYU students and alumni.

Life Beyond the Square First-Destination Survey

Graduate Career Outcomes Survey

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Life Beyond the Square?

Life Beyond the Square is an annual survey administered by the Wasserman Center to learn about students’ post-graduation plans, e.g., if they’re working, continuing education, volunteering, taking a year off, still looking for work, etc. Each year’s LBTS results are used to build rapport with major employers, inform academic and administrative decision making, provide transparency to current and prospective students about where graduates go after graduation, and more.

Who is eligible to participate in LBTS?

LBTS is open to all graduating students in programs served by the Wasserman Center. That means associate’s students, bachelor’s students, and graduate students from CAS, GSAS, Gallatin, Global Liberal Studies, Global Public Health, SPS, Silver, Steinhardt, Stern, Rory Meyers, Tisch, and Tandon.

Most students fill out the main LBTS survey (LBTS 2022 All Schools (Except Stern)). Undergraduate Stern students have their own version of the survey (Stern Class of 2022 LBTS)

When will I be able to submit a response to LBTS?

The survey is open from April through December to all eligible students for that gradation year survey.

How do I submit a response?

You can access LBTS in the First Destination section of Handshake. It takes 2-4 minutes, and can be completed on your laptop, tablet, or phone. All you have to do is log into Handshake, click Career Center, and then click First Destination.

What if my plans change after I submit my response?

You can edit or submit a new response if your plans change. For instance, if you’re still seeking employment or continuing education now and have an update over the summer, you can submit that new outcome whenever you have the chance.

What if I’m still looking for a job?

Still looking is an option in LBTS, and we’re expecting at this point for a lot of graduating students to still be looking for either work or continuing education. Students who are still looking for post-grad opportunities are encouraged to make use of the Wasserman Center’s many resources, including career coaching, events, etc. You’ll also still have full access to our office after you graduate.