Published on December 2, 2020 by Morgan Black  
Madison Averill May2020 Grad
Madison Averill, center, is a May 2020 graduate and is now employed with CRC Insurance Services. Photo taken prior to COVID-19.
Despite the various challenges presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Samford University Brock School of Business graduates continue to transition into the workforce successfully. A report collected by the Office of Professional Success for December 2019, May 2020 and August 2020 undergraduate alumni indicates 97% of the graduating classes are either employed or continuing their education in graduate school. The same placement data for May 2020 graduates alone totaled 99%.
 
“Although the job market proved tough to navigate through the course of the pandemic, our students remained diligent in seeking opportunities to begin their careers,” said Director of Professional Success Kathryn Boyd. “This data is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their individual professional development.”
 
During the early months of the pandemic and through the fall 2020 semester, the Office of Professional Success remained committed to providing professional development opportunities for its students. Through use of the virtual platform, Zoom, more than 30 networking events were implemented allowing students to connect with business leaders from across the country.
 
“We are thankful for employers near and far who have been eager to collaborate with our students in a virtual manner,” Boyd said. “This year, it was crucial for our students to connect with industry professionals. These opportunities would not have been possible without their flexibility to pivot to a virtual platform and their unwavering commitment to Brock School of Business.”
 
Brock School of Business graduates also have a significant impact on the workforce in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Of this set of graduates, 34% chose to begin their careers in Birmingham, making Brock School of Business a substantial net importer of human capital to its workforce. Other top markets for Brock School of Business graduates include Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee.
 
“Our students have been resilient in the face of this pandemic, especially when it comes to solidifying jobs or options to further their education after they graduate,” said Interim Dean Chad Carson. “This data also affirms the tremendous work of our faculty and staff who, regardless of the pandemic, are deeply invested in helping them succeed professionally.”
 
 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.