After W&L
Prepared for Life
A Washington and Lee education prepares students not just for their first job, but for a fulfilling career. Our distinctive curriculum combines the best of the liberal arts and practical, preprofessional programs that encourage students to explore their passions and discover their professional path. Along the way, they master essential skills like communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, teamwork and leadership that set them apart from other job applicants. The results speak for themselves.
High-Touch & Holistic
Our Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) supports and empowers students and alumni to discover, navigate and achieve their career goals.
Advising
First Year to Fulfilling Career
Career advising at Washington and Lee is as personalized as our educational experience. From the moment our students arrive on campus, our Career and Professional Development Office aims to engage undergraduate students through one-on-one advising appointments, career exploration programs, and skill development workshops – all with an eye toward student success.
Preparation
Skill Development and Peer Support
Student Career Fellows serve a critical role in helping their peers explore career options. Fellows are available for appointments in the office or virtually to work with students on resumes, cover letters, interviewing techniques and other aspects of the job search. They stay informed on emerging career trends and industries and collaborate with career advisers to ensure the program provides relevant information for students.
Discovery
Industry Exploration
As students begin to hone their professional interests, W&L offers a variety of ways to learn more about specific industries. Each year, the Career and Professional Development Office hosts trips for students to meet with alumni in major job markets, including New York and Washington, D.C. The office also hosts regular speakers and panels, alumni networking events, employer information sessions and industry-specific summits where students can get to know alumni working in a particular field.
The Alumni Network
Lifelong Connections
Our loyal and enthusiastic alumni serve as active advisors and mentors for students, frequently returning to campus for career panels and networking events. But our Career and Professional Development Office also recognizes that career exploration doesn’t end with the first job offer. Our career advisers are available to help alumni navigate their path through their first job transition and beyond.
Graduate Outcomes
94%
of the Class of 2024 is employed or attending graduate school six months after graduation.
Grad School Success
92/87%
Our five-year acceptance rates at medical (92%) and law schools (87%) are among the highest in the nation.
Career Preparation
#1
According to a 2023 student poll by The Wall Street Journal, our students ranked Washington and Lee first among all colleges and universities for career preparation.
Years Running
7
W&L was named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh straight year in 2024-25 -- ranking sixth among baccalaureate institutions.
Rhodes Scholars
#1
Producer of Rhodes Scholars among all liberal arts colleges over the last decade.
Fellowship Recipients
57
A record number of W&L students were awarded nationally competitive fellowships in the 2023-24 academic year.
Graduate Outcomes
94%
of the Class of 2024 is employed or attending graduate school six months after graduation.
Grad School Success
92/87%
Our five-year acceptance rates at medical (92%) and law schools (87%) are among the highest in the nation.
Career Preparation
#1
According to a 2023 student poll by The Wall Street Journal, our students ranked Washington and Lee first among all colleges and universities for career preparation.
Years Running
7
W&L was named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh straight year in 2024-25 -- ranking sixth among baccalaureate institutions.
Rhodes Scholars
#1
Producer of Rhodes Scholars among all liberal arts colleges over the last decade.
Fellowship Recipients
57
A record number of W&L students were awarded nationally competitive fellowships in the 2023-24 academic year.
Where in the World?
W&L graduates go on to win nationally competitive fellowships, find meaningful employment and enter top graduate schools across the country and around the world.
From Here to There
Our expansive curriculum, career and professional development resources and dedicated alumni network help graduates find their first job and fulfilling careers.
Jenna Bernstein ’25
St. Louis, Missouri
MAJOR: Computer Science
MINOR: Philosophy
“W&L has offered me a broad range of ways to engage with technology that have helped me learn and develop skills that I would not have acquired on my own. From working as a teaching assistant for computer science labs to supporting the Information Technology Services Help Desk, contributing to the Mock Convention app development team, conducting AI research with a professor and being a member of GenTech, I have had the opportunity at W&L to immerse myself in a wide spectrum of experiences. These opportunities prepared me well for my software engineering internship at Microsoft this past summer, and because of my positive experience there, I have the pleasure of returning full-time following my graduation.”
John Williams ’25
Baltimore, Maryland
MAJOR: American History and Business Administration
“My double major allowed me to be a more versatile candidate when recruiting for full-time jobs. Not only is a double major very doable at W&L, but it also greatly enhances one’s experience and provides a broader skillset. My history major teaches me soft skills like how to research and synthesize information through writing and public speaking, while my business major gives me the technical skills necessary for a career in finance. Thanks to W&L’s top-notch career services office and our expansive alumni network, I have secured a full-time offer.”
Emma Scott ’26
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
MAJOR: Environmental Studies and Global Politics
MINOR: Poverty and Human Capability Studies
“During my college application process, Washington and Lee’s motto, “not unmindful of the future,” resonated with me. I chose the global politics and environmental studies majors because I believe that the subject areas are incredibly intertwined and face a turbulent future. I also knew that W&L’s small class sizes would help me to develop better relationships with my peers and professors, enhancing my educational experience. Ultimately, I knew that a liberal arts education at W&L, with a focus on these important subjects, would prepare me for success in a changing world regardless of my career path.”
Will Joseph ’26
Wilmette, Illinois
MAJOR: Accounting and Classics
“During my sophomore year, I went through the investment banking recruiting process. It was super competitive, extremely time-consuming and hard to balance with other commitments. However, our W&L alumni network is so strong, and they were so helpful to me in my job search. W&L is such a good springboard for people who want to get into the world of finance, and I am so thankful for utilizing such an amazing network! I landed an internship at Lincoln International for the summer of 2026.”
Notable Employers
Graduates in the W&L Class of 2024 landed jobs with some of the most notable employers in the country.
- Accenture
- Bain & Company Corporation
- Bank of America Corporation
- Barclays
- Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
- Boston Scientific Corporation
- Campbell Soup Company
- CBRE Group Inc
- Chicago Magazine
- Children’s National Hospital
- Citigroup Inc.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Deloitte
- Epic Systems Corporation
- ESPN
- EY
- Fulbright Association
- Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Microsoft Corporation
- Milwaukee Bucks
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Omnicom Group Inc.
- Peace Corps
- PepsiCo, Inc.
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
- Prosek Partners
- RVO Health
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tampa Bay Times
- Texas Instruments Incorporated
- The Barbarian Group
- U.S. House of Representatives
Tapping into the Network
From career exploration trips to industry summits, W&L students and alumni alike benefit from the opportunity to network with other graduates in their field.
Career Exploration Trips
Career and Professional Development offers regular trips for students to meet with alumni in a variety of industries and explore career options in major job markets. Recent trips have focused on Accounting, Economic and Social Impact, Real Estate, Public Policy and Consulting careers in Washington, D.C.; and Finance, Healthcare, Law, Advertising, Marketing and Communications careers in New York City. Funding is available for students who need financial assistance to participate.
The Entrepreneurship Summit
W&L’s annual Entrepreneurship Summit brings alumni and students together for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. Designed to encourage innovative business ideas and strategies, it is an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in the world of entrepreneurship through speakers, panel discussions, pitch competitions and more.
The Energy Forum
The 2025 W&L Energy Forum brought over 100 alumni, industry leaders, and friends of the university together in Houston for dynamic conversations about the future of energy. As the newest offering in W&L’s portfolio of affinity-based career events, the forum provided a platform for members of the university community working across the energy sector to examine key challenges and opportunities shaping the industry today.
The Policy Forum
Washington and Lee’s inaugural Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., gathered more than 100 alumni, current students and guests to explore key issues at the intersection of politics, policy and the private sector. The theme of the event was “National Security and the Economy.”
The Real Estate Forum
Washington and Lee’s biannual Real Estate Forum offers participants a blend of learning, discussion, and networking opportunities, connecting established industry experts with emerging real estate professionals.
W&L Outcomes: Kathleen Roberts ’24
Roberts is pursuing her doctorate in educational psychology through the LIME program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
In September, Maloy will move to Germany for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.
W&L Outcomes: Lucy Donahue ’24
After graduation, Donahue is working as a financial analyst at Amazon and pursuing her CPA.
W&L Outcomes: Perry Kramer ’24
After a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, Kramer is moving to NYC and will start working for Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in October.
W&L Outcomes: Jackson Hotchkiss ’24
Hotchkiss is spending the next year competing in professional cycling events.
W&L Outcomes: Lillie Taylor ’24
Taylor is moving to Niigata Prefecture, Japan, to work as an assistant language teacher for the JET Program.
W&L Outcomes: Caroline Christianson ’24
Christianson will be working as a research coordinator studying autism in infants and young children.
After a summer internship, Ott landed a full-time job as an investment banking analyst with Houlihan Lokey.
Pari Ahmadi ’24 will be working as a clinical research coordinator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before attending medical school.
W&L Outcomes: Lauren Shelby ’23
Lauren Shelby ’23 will be pursuing her master’s degree at New York University.
W&L Outcomes: Andrew Tartakovsky ’23
Andrew Tartakovsky ’23 received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Azerbaijan.
W&L Outcomes: Charlotte Dross ’23
Charlotte Dross ’23 is working in public relations as a postgraduate intern at Jackson Spalding.