William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, is proud to announce the release of its 2013 University graduate data which revealed an employment/further education placement rate of 97 percent. Data was based on a University questionnaire which was answered by 69 percent of graduates and was collected 12 months following graduation. Statistics of both full-time and part-time employment were included. The statistic of 97 percent is the third highest employment /graduate school placement rate for the University since data began being collected in 2000.

As part of career preparation, all students participate in the Professional Development Seminar, a series of three classes that focus on career and professional readiness. In these courses, students mock interview with their faculty and with local businesses who volunteer their time, construct a resume, and build a portfolio of their learning to share with potential employers when they are interviewing. The series culminates with an internship requirement that combines education and job experience. In fact, in October 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked William Peace University No. 1 in the country among schools that produced the largest percentage of interns.

“We are very pleased with the results of the survey for the class of 2013,” said Barbara Efird, Director of Career Services at William Peace University. “Nowhere is it more evident that the lessons and skills learned in and out of the classroom here at WPU pay off in the employment market than our annual survey of graduates. Each year, we continue to see a high percentage of graduates in jobs or graduate school and we are very proud of the citizens they have become.”

“Our Alumni, along with our current students, faculty, and staff, continue to amaze us,” said Debra M. Townsley, President of William Peace University. “Data, such as this current report, matches the University’s mission and the goals we set for ourselves as education professionals and as an institution. The success of our students is our primary mission.”