Careers & Employment Trends

This online resource represents Purdue University Northwest’s continued commitment to providing concise and relevant career guidance and outcome information to students, families, members of the guidance and counseling communities, and any interested individual who wishes to explore the relationship between career opportunities and college-level academic preparation.

Assembled by the Purdue University Northwest Career Center, this site includes both Job Outlook 2026 information and a summary of career outcomes for each years graduating class from Purdue University Northwest.

A group of students pose together during the ASCE Symposium

Career Outcomes

Each semester, the Career Center conducts a First Destination Survey with recent graduates regarding post-graduation outcomes. It provides summary data on a graduating class.

See the Outcomes

Job Outlook Projections through 2026

The information provided on this website covers occupational families based on national data and analysis provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Investigate Purdue University Northwest Career Clusters

OCCUPATION# CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN FIELD AS OF 2016JOB OUTLOOK BY 2026 (% GROWTH)JOB DESCRIPTION (INCLUDING MEDIAN PAY, AND TYPICAL ENTRY LEVEL EDUCATION)
Accountants, Auditors1,397,7001,538,000 (10%)Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records.

  • They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time.

  • Accountants and auditors assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.

  • Examine financial statements to ensure that they are accurate and comply with laws and regulations.

  • Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, and ensure that taxes are paid properly and on time.

  • Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and use of accepted accounting procedures.

  • Organize and maintain financial records.

  • Assess financial operations and make best-practices recommendations to management.

  • Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues, and improve profits.


Entry level education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Median Pay: $68,150 per year, $32.76 per hour.
Financial Managers580,400108,400 (19%)Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization.

  • They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

  • Prepare financial statements, business activity reports, and forecasts.

  • Monitor financial details to ensure that legal requirements are met.

  • Supervise employees who do financial reporting and budgeting.

  • Review company financial reports and seek ways to reduce costs.

  • Analyze market trends to maximize profits and find expansion opportunities.

  • Help management make financial decisions.


Entry level education: Bachelor’s degree.
Median Pay: $121,750 per year, $58.54 per hour.
Manufacturing and Wholesale Sales Representatives1,813,5001,913,300 (6%)Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations.

  • They contact customers, explain the features of the products they are selling, negotiate prices, and answer any questions that their customers may have about the products.

  • Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, and attending trade shows and conferences.

  • Contact new and existing customers to discuss their needs and explain how specific products and services can meet these needs.

  • Help customers select products to meet customers’ needs, product specifications, and regulations. Emphasize product features that will meet customers’ needs, and exhibit the capabilities and limitations of their products.

  • Answer customers’ questions about the prices, availability, and uses of the products they are selling.

  • Negotiate prices and terms of sales and service agreements. Prepare sales contracts and submit orders for processing.

  • Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as information on selling strategies and marketing information.

  • Follow up with customers to make sure that they are satisfied with their purchases and to answer any questions or concerns they might have.


Entry level education: High School for nontechnical products but Bachelor’s for scientific or echnical products.
Median Pay: $60,530 per year, $29.10 per hour.
Advertising, Marketing Managers249,600273,200 (9%)Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

  • They work with art directors, advertising sales agents, and financial staff members.

  • Work with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as budgets and contracts, marketing plans, and the selection of advertising media.

  • Plan promotional campaigns such as contests, coupons, or giveaways.

  • Plan advertising campaigns, including which media to advertise in, such as radio, television, print, online media, and billboards.

  • Negotiate advertising contracts.

  • Evaluate the look and feel of websites used in campaigns or layouts, which are sketches or plans for an advertisement.

  • Initiate market research studies and analyze their findings to understand customer and market opportunities for businesses.

  • Develop pricing strategies for products or services marketed to the target customers. Meet with clients to provide marketing or related advice.

  • Direct the hiring of advertising, promotions, and marketing staff and oversee their daily activities.


Entry level education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Median Pay: $127,560 per year, $61.33 per hour.
Public Relations Managers73,50081,100 (10%)Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client.

  • Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.

  • Write press releases and prepare information for the media.

  • Identify main client groups and audiences and determine the best way to reach them.

  • Designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source for media inquiries.

  • Help clients communicate effectively with the public.

  • Develop their organization’s or client’s corporate image and identity. Assist and inform an organization’s executives and spokespeople.

  • Devise advertising and promotion programs. Assign, supervise, and review the activities of staff.


Entry Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Median pay: $107,320 per year, $51.59 per hour.
Sales Managers385,500413,900 (7%)Sales managers direct organizations’ sales teams.

  • They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives.

  • Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.

  • Prepare budgets and approve expenditures.

  • Monitor customer preferences to determine the focus of sales efforts.

  • Analyze sales statistics.

  • Project sales and determine the profitability of products and services.

  • Determine discount rates or special pricing plans.

  • Develop plans to acquire new customers or clients through direct sales techniques, cold calling, and business-to-business marketing visits.

  • Assign sales territories and set sales quotas.

  • Plan and coordinate training programs for sales staff.


Entry level education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Median pay: $117,960 per year, $56.71 per hour.
HR, Training, Labor Relations Managers and Specialists136,100148,300 (9%)Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization.

  • They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.

  • Plan and coordinate an organization’s workforce to best use employees’ talents.

  • Link an organization’s management with its employees.

  • Plan and oversee employee benefit programs.

  • Serve as a consultant with other managers advising them on human resources issues, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment.

  • Coordinate and supervise the work of specialists and support staff.

  • Oversee an organization’s recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes.

  • Handle staffing issues, such as mediating disputes and directing disciplinary procedures.


Entry level Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Median pay: $106,910 per year, $51.40 per hour.