San José State is one of California’s oldest public universities, playing an important role in educating students who go on to pursue work in some of the world’s most competitive industries.

At SJSU, about 37% of students graduate within four years exceeding the 35% California State University target, according to an SJSU webpage. 

When looking at six-year graduation rates, about 68.4% of students finish, which is fairly close to the CSU system’s goal of 71%, according to the same source.

Over the past couple of years, these rates have been improving, showing that more students are completing their degrees. 

From 2015 to 2024, the average graduation rate was 63.22%, with 2024 numbers showing an increase to 64%, according to College Tuition Compare .

According to SJSU there are over 300,000 alumni, which allows graduates to easily connect with one another for advice, job leads, and mentorship. 

Regular alumni networking events are held on campus, along with groups that can be found on websites like LinkedIn, according to the Alumni Association. 

James Flemings, who graduated in 2023 with a justice studies major, said his time at SJSU helped shape his future. 

“Professors, old classmates and certain mentors can assist you find a path on what you strive to do after graduation,” Flemings said.

Katherine Kim graduated in 2019 and earned a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing.

She gives credit to her academic experience with creating important connections. 

“SJSU has very specific major courses and options. My specific major led me to make many networking connections which helped after graduation seeing employment and scoping different job markets,” Kim said.

Saudia Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2024 and is currently working towards her MBA, expected in 2026.

She reflected on how much her involvement shaped her skills. 

“I really take pride in the experiences I had at SJSU… they not only helped me develop personally and professionally but also helped in improving my soft and hard skills,” Jones said.

“I built a portfolio and background by being in professional clubs like the SJSU Marketing Association and being a part of the Black Student Athlete Association … helped me build rapport and introductory skills for a strong professional career,” Jones said.

According to SJSU’s 2023 First Destination Report the median salary for graduates after 6 years was $62,448.

SJSU ranks well among California universities when it comes to their return investment upon graduating, according to a Sept. 20 article from the San Francisco Chronicle. 

“Personally my biggest challenge was landing a job without internship experience. Due to my personal life, I was unable to partake in an internship during my coursework which put me at a disadvantage amongst my colleagues,” Kim said. “I had to really market myself and prove my skills during the interview and testing process.”

She also emphasized the importance of using the university’s resources.

“Networking is a huge asset and can be a great tool and advantage when entering the job market. Utilize the resources available that are offered at SJSU like the hiring events. Also, many professors are more than willing to put in a good word if you just ask,” Kim said.

“My biggest challenge I faced after graduating was learning how to balance my personal life and my work…it’s always important to keep a good balance between the two, as they both hold great value,” Flemings said.

“Jumping into the job market…was nerve wrecking at first,” Flemings said. “SJSU helped me enhance…skills that I use on a daily basis…receiving assistance from…mentors helped me …on what I wanted to accomplish for myself…in the next five to ten years.”

“Entering the job market after graduation was intimidating but also exciting. There’s a lot of competition, but also so many opportunities,” Kim said. “Patience and perseverance are needed because hiring and interview processes can be extremely lengthy.”

“It was hard at first because although you put in applications to gain opportunities, you can also go through rejections…however the saying ‘just keep going’ is so true,” Jones said.

According to SJSU’s Career Center, campus offers many events and services to help students prepare for careers.

This includes resume workshops, job fairs, and meetings with employers.

These resources are designed to give students direct access to professional opportunities while still being in school. 

Jones said she advises students to embrace discomfort and seek out growth opportunities early on.

“Start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and be able to take a risk…beautiful doors started to open for me,” Jones said.