University of Michigan alumni can take many different paths to careers they find meaningful. To better understand how those paths unfold over time, we recently surveyed alumni from the classes of 2015 and 2020. This five- and 10-year perspective offers a deeper insight into how alumni evolve and grow. What emerges is a picture that feels both familiar and important: Michigan alumni are building robust lives across the country, and continuing to rely on one another as they navigate change.
Where Alumni Live and Work
Michigan remains a central anchor for alumni. About one-third of those surveyed live in the state, making it the most common place alumni call home. There are also large populations of graduates building careers in states like California, New York, and Illinois. These moves are often tied to professional opportunity, while staying in Michigan tends to be more grounded in relationships and a sense of belonging.
Lifelong Learners
One of the strongest throughlines is how many alumni choose to continue their education. Nearly half went on to graduate school, most often earning academic or professional master’s degrees — reflecting a cohort that is both academically motivated and increasingly specialized. It also reflects a mindset that many alumni carry with them: seeing their undergraduate degree as a foundation rather than an endpoint. As industries shift and new roles emerge, the willingness to keep learning becomes a practical advantage.
Satisfaction, Meaning, and Pride
Across both the 2015 and 2020 cohorts, alumni report strong levels of satisfaction in their careers. Among the class of 2015, 79 percent say they are satisfied in their current roles, compared to 73 percent of the class of 2020. A similar pattern appears in how they view their work, with 84 percent of 2015 graduates and 80 percent of 2020 graduates describing their work as meaningful. There is also a strong sense of pride in the Michigan experience. Roughly 87 percent of respondents say they are proud to be alumni, and about 60 percent feel their degree was worth the cost.
Skills That Carry Forward
When alumni reflect on what they gained from their undergraduate experience, a consistent set of skills rises to the top. Critical thinking, adaptability, written communication, and teamwork were most commonly cited. These are also among the skills they report most frequently using in their current roles. Around 80 percent of alumni say their current position offers opportunities to continue learning new skills, and alumni identify decision-making and verbal communication as areas for professional growth. Developing new skills allows alumni to adjust, pivot, and keep building their paths over time.
Relationships in Career Navigation
One of the clearest findings from the survey is how alumni seek out career advice. Most turn to people they trust — about 82 percent report going to peers, 77 percent to friends and family, and 57 percent to mentors. Professional networks also play a role. Formal University resources are used less frequently, with about 11 percent of respondents saying they have sought advice from the Alumni Association. This points to the strength of informal networks in helping alumni navigate and shape what comes next and the lasting impact of relationships formed during and after college.
Nonlinear Paths, Shared Experiences
Career journeys are not always directly tied to what alumni studied or planned as students. Among the class of 2015, about 48 percent say their current job is related to their undergraduate major, compared to 61 percent of the class of 2020. A similar pattern emerges when looking at early career goals. Career paths evolve as interests shift and new opportunities emerge. Rather than following a single track, many alumni are actively shaping their own paths over time, adjusting as their interests, goals, and opportunities evolve.
Individualized Growth
Alumni remain motivated and open to continued growth, and their needs continue to evolve over time. Many seek opportunities for learning, connection, and career development as they navigate changes after graduation. There is no single path forward for the Leaders and Best, only ones individually shaped as alumni navigate professional development, explore new interests, and build their careers.
Brooklyn Posler is the senior associate director of the Alumni Career program at the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan.
