William Paterson University: Powerful Support, Proven Career Success
- William Paterson University
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Choosing a college means asking an important question: Will this university prepare me for a successful future? At William Paterson University, students find a resounding yes.
WP pairs personalized support with purposeful, hands-on career experiences that build students’ confidence and readiness for life after graduation. From the beginning of their college journey, every student benefits from a coordinated support network and real-world learning opportunities designed to help them become a true powerhouse in their chosen field.
A Personalized Support Network for Every Student
From the moment new students arrive on campus, they’re paired with a dedicated Student Success Team — a coordinated group of professionals who guide them through academics, financial aid, career planning, and the transition to college life. Each team includes:
• A professional academic advisor
• A financial aid counselor
• A career coach
• An academic coach
• A faculty mentor, beginning sophomore year
This individualized system ensures students always have someone to turn to for questions, encouragement, and proactive support. Success Teams help students manage course loads, stay organized, balance responsibilities, access campus resources, and make timely decisions about majors, internships, and future careers.
Students stay connected with their team through Navigate, WP’s mobile and desktop app, which lets them schedule appointments, receive reminders, and message their Success Team at any time.
First-year students also participate in weekly Will. Power. 101 classes taught by their professional advisor — gaining essential transition skills and building early connections with classmates through a shared course schedule.
PowerPaths: WP’s Innovative New Career Experience Program
Another distinctive feature of a William Paterson education is PowerPaths, a new career experience program coordinated through the University’s Career Development Center. Beginning with the Class of 2028, participation is required for all incoming students.
The PowerPaths program provides structured, hands-on learning opportunities that connect academic study to real-world application — a hallmark of WP’s commitment to career readiness.
These experiences help students:
• Explore interests and discover their purpose
• Connect classroom learning to real-world environments
• Build strong résumés and career-ready skills
• Strengthen professional networks
• Reflect on their growth through structured support
• Gain transcript-recognized experience and confidently tell their career story
PowerPaths experiences are flexible and customizable, offering both for-credit and non-credit options that fit students’ schedules and goals. Opportunities include:
• Internships and micro-internships
• Job shadowing and industry field trips
• Job simulations
• Clinicals, fieldwork, or student teaching
• Faculty-led research
• Study abroad
• Performance-based learning
• Civic engagement
Students participating in non-credit experiences complete short reflection courses that help them connect hands-on learning to long-term goals and develop materials such as résumé updates and personal branding tools.
WP students can also apply to participate in the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, which pairs them individually with successful professionals — including alumni and community partners — who offer personalized advice, industry insights, and meaningful career guidance.
Powerful Student Outcomes
With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a commitment to experiential learning, William Paterson University provides an environment where students are both supported and challenged. The University’s comprehensive approach — pairing personalized advising with real-world career development — translates into strong graduate outcomes.
For the Class of 2024, 88 percent of WP graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months — 5.4 percent above the national average for public institutions. Students in the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute achieved an outstanding 97 percent outcome rate.
WP graduates are also landing competitive salaries. The University’s average starting salary of $65,049 exceeds the national public institutions average — a two percent higher starting point — and closely aligns with national benchmarks. These results demonstrate WP’s commitment to ensuring students not only earn a degree but graduate prepared, confident, and ready to thrive.
See for Yourself at Spring Open House
Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:00 a.m.
Tour the campus. Meet faculty and current students. Explore academic programs, residence halls, student life, scholarships, and more. Discover how William Paterson University supports every step of your journey — from your first semester to your first job.
Register today at wpunj.edu/openhouse