Career Outcomes

The future is bright for Penn State Altoona graduates!

Select one of our four-year degree programs below to explore information about our alumni, including salary data, potential career paths, and alumni highlights.

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Biology program, established in 2004, and the Nursing program, established in 2001.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $21,537 $31,384 $43,533
5 Years $34,184 $50,902 $71,780
10 Years $41,065 $64,122 $92,092
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Penn State Altoona Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Accommodation and Food Services (14%) Health Care and Social Assistance (23%) Health Care and Social Assistance (28%)
Manufacturing (13%) Other Services (except Public Administration) (12%) Manufacturing (15%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (12%) Manufacturing (11%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (13%)
Construction (11%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (9%) Finance and Insurance (7%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (9%) Retail Trade (8%) Construction (7%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Biology Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Biology program work for various companies, including:

  • ScribeAmerica
  • Lampire Biological Laboratories
  • Board of Childcare
  • Habitat Forever

Career titles include:

  • Habitat Specialist
  • Medical Scribe
  • Microbiology Lab Analyst

Our Nursing Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Nursing program work for various companies, including:

  • UPMC
  • Penn State Hershey Medical Center
  • St. Vincent Hospital
  • The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Business program, established in 1997, and the Accounting program, established in 2018.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $25,003 $34,400 $44,633
5 Years $36,980 $50,774 $67,040
10 Years $45,217 $62,858 $83,607
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Retail Trade (21%) Retail Trade (15%) Finance and Insurance (14%)
Finance and Insurance (14%) Finance and Insurance (12%) Health Care and Social Assistance (13%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (10%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (11%) Retail Trade (11%)
Manufacturing (10%) Manufacturing (10%) Wholesale Trade (10%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (6%) Health Care and Social Assistance (9%) Educational Services (9%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Accounting Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Accounting program work for various companies, including:

  • The Altoona Curve
  • Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
  • Wessel & Co.

Career titles include:

  • Accountant
  • Assurance Associate

Our Business Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Business program work for various companies, including:

  • Aflac
  • Amazon
  • Automated Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
  • Blair Companies
  • Enterprise Rent-a-Car
  • Motive
  • Oracle Corporation
  • Penn State
  • PNC Bank
  • Sheetz, Inc.
  • Walmart

Career titles include:

  • Account Executive
  • Accountant
  • Analyst
  • Buyer
  • Financial Adviser
  • Marketing Manager
  • Sales Onboarding Program Manager

Alumni Highlights

Frank Amabile, Jr.

Marketing Manager, Innovation & Strategic Digital Media at Walmart

  • Class of 2016
  • Bachelor of Science in Business, Management/Marketing Option
  • Minor in Entrepreneurship

A proud Sheetz Fellows alum, Frank has had the opportunity to work/live in Chicago, Washington DC, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia thus far in his career. He credits his time at Penn State Altoona for giving him a broad scope of exposure through various internships, co-ops, and job opportunities. In his current role at Walmart, Frank is responsible for all digital/paid social marketing programs focusing on member acquisition and retention for the W+, Walmart In-Home, and Walmart Go Local businesses.

Matt Wagner

Sales Onboarding Program Manager at Motive

  • Class of 2014
  • Bachelor of Science in Business, Management/Marketing Option
  • Minor in Entrepreneurship

Matt joined Motive in San Francisco in 2016 when the company had fewer than 100 employees. Today, he has helped the company grow to over 4,000 employees and is responsible, along with his team, for designing the onboarding that new sales team members experience when they join the company. Being a member of the Sheetz Fellows Program helped to prepare Matt for the real world and provided a clear perspective on what a strong business looks like and what he wanted out of his career.

Arabia Woolfolk (Iman)

Account Executive at Aflac

  • Class of 2015
  • Bachelor of Science in Business, Entrepreneurship Option
  • Minor in Dance Studies

Originally from Washington, DC, Arabia loves business and the arts. Her professional career as an Account Executive for Aflac is enhanced by her “passion careers” in the dance & modeling industry and volunteering to serve youth. She serves as Executive Director at We Genius, is the Founder & CEO of DMV Greenbook, and is an active advocate with DC Action. According to Arabia, her time with her Sheetz Fellows mentor provided the skills necessary to pursue both her profession and her passion. Fun Fact: Arabia is also a former Miss DC beauty queen, a retired NFL cheerleader, and a published model on the NYC Billboard at Times Square.

Communications, Journalism, and Related Programs

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Communications program, established in 2002.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $20,883 $27,489 $35,091
5 Years $30,552 $40,646 $52,773
10 Years $36,883 $47,950 $70,160
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Retail Trade (19%) Retail Trade (21%) Retail Trade (18%)
Educational Services (13%) Information (12%) Educational Services (13%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (11%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (11%) Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing (9%)
Adminstrative Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (8%) Educational Services (11%) Finance and Insurance (8%)
Accommodation and Food Services (8%) Health Care and Social Assistance (11%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (8%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Communications Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Communications program work for various companies, including:

  • UPMC
  • Barnes and Noble
  • Daversa Partners
  • Penn State
  • Toyota
  • DDB New York

Career titles include:

  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Project Manager
  • Social Media Manager
  • Graphic Design
  • Website Content Writer

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Information Technology program, established in 2021.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $38,451 $54,645 $75,174

Top 5 Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline

  • Accommodation and Food Services (21%)
  • Educational Services (19%)
  • Retail Trade (10%)
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting (7%)
  • Management of Companies and Enterprise (7%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

Education

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Elementary and Early Childhood Education program, established in 2009.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $20,420 $26,472 $35,130
5 Years $34,681 $42,103 $48,606
10 Years $37,289 $45,778 $52,688
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Educational Services (55%) Educational Services (62%) Educational Services (86%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (15%) Health Care and Social Assistance (12%) Health Care and Social Assistance (7%)
Retail Trade (10%) Retail Trade (8%) Retail Trade (4%)
Manufacturing (6%) Manufacturing (4%) Finance and Insurance (2%)
Accommodation and Food Services (5%) Finance and Insurance (3%) Accommodation and Food Services (1%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Education Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Elementary and Early Childhood Education program work for various companies, including:

  • Altoona Area School District
  • Child Advocates of Blair County
  • Hollidaysburg Area School District
  • Americorps
  • Blair County Head Start

Career titles include:

  • Teacher
  • Reading Specialist

Engineering

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Electro-Mechanical Engineering program, established in 1994; the Mechanical Engineering program, established in 2021; and the Rail Transportation Engineering program, established in 2011.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $47,741 $60,544 $72,854
5 Years $64,213 $75,959 $91,864
10 Years $75,402 $90,028 $117,136
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Manufacturing (57%) Manufacturing (60%) Manufacturing (48%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (17%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (11%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (14%)
Wholesale Trade (5%) Wholesale Trade (9%) Educational Services (10%)
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (4%) Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (5%) Wholesale Trade (9%)
Management of Companies and Enterprises (4%) Educational Services (3%) Other Services (Except Public Administration) (6%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology program work for various companies, including:

  • Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Cummins, Inc.
  • Dominion Energy of Virginia
  • General Motors
  • The Hite Company
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Norfolk Southern
  • Penn State
  • Veeder Root

Career titles include:

  • Controls Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Rocket Test Engineer
  • System Protection Technician

Our Rail Transportation Engineering Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Rail Transportation Engineering program work for various companies, including:

  • Amtrak
  • BNSF Railway Company
  • Conrail
  • Norfolk Southern
  • Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

Career titles include:

  • Associate Consultant
  • Project Engineer
  • Rail Engineer
  • Railroad Technologist

Alumni Highlights

Jonathan Ambrosino

Railroad Technologist with an engineering firm that specializes in accident investigations and reconstruction

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Science in Rail Transportation Engineering
  • Minor in Mathematics Applications
  • Pursuing a graduate degree in Civil-Geotechnical Engineering from Penn State

Jonathan Ambrosino believes that the Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) coursework prepared him for both the industry and his further education. Still, he finds himself using lessons learned in MATH 230: Vector and Multivariable Calculus most frequently in his day-to-day tasks.

Before gaining employment as a Railroad Technologist, Ambrosino worked for the North Shore Railroad as a track worker. Additionally, he also interned at his current company. He credits both of these experiences to connections he made while attending conferences as a student representative of the RTE program. When asked for advice he’d give an incoming RTE student, Jonathan said that it’s important to put in the work and strive to become book-smart and field-smart.

Angel Beverly

System Protection Technician, Dominion Energy of Virginia

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology

In her time as a student, Angel Beverly was the president of Lion Ambassadors, an Adler Student Supervisor, an Orientation Leader, part of the Career Services Engineering Envoy, and the Caribbean Student Association secretary. Beverly obtained an internship with Westinghouse Electric company in the summer after her third year and credits Career Services with helping her to build the skills that landed her this position.

Beverly feels that the experiences, lessons, and skills she developed in the engineering labs at Penn State Altoona help her to succeed every day in her current role. She specifically finds herself using the skills learned in EET 114, EMET 225, and EET 275. Angel recommends that any student interested in engineering consider the wide array of careers and experiences that can be had with an EMET degree from Penn State Altoona.

Gary Babcoke

Project Engineer for the West Lake Corridor Capital Project, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD)

  • Class of 2022
  • Bachelor of Science in Rail Transportation Engineering, Certificate in AutoCAD
  • Interned at Hesston Steam Museum in LaPorte, Indiana, and NICTD in Michigan City, Indiana.

Gary Babcoke credits much of his current success to his time spent on campus as a student. By joining student organizations on campus, he was able to find friends with similar hobbies and interests quickly. Additionally, his experiences in his AutoCAD classes directly benefit him in his current role. Babcoke also found that the civil engineering courses within the RTE program, particularly those taught by Dr. Faeze Ghofrani, were instrumental in his understanding of the real-world situations he faces daily.

Josh Hollingshead

Rocket Test Engineer, Aerojet Rocketdyne

  • Class of 2022
  • Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology

In his time as a student, Joh Hollingshead interned as a Propulsion Flight Test Engineer with Sikorsky Aircraft as part of a team responsible for flight-testing the turbojet engines that power the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. This internship took place at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, and Hollingshead credits Penn State’s strong alumni presence there with helping him to secure the internship.

Prior to graduation, Hollingshead was hired for his current position as a Rocket Test Engineer for Aerojet Rocketdyne, where he is responsible for performing static hot-fire tests of rocket engines. He believes that his seven semesters of research at Penn State Altoona helped him stand out in the job hunt and narrow down what it was he wanted to do as a career. When asked if he had advice for incoming students, he recommends that they push beyond their comfort levels to find classes and experiences that challenge them.

English Language and Literature/Letters

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's English program, established in 1999.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $18,320 $23,398 $28,801
5 Years $25,167 $31,190 $38,881
10 Years $30,520 $42,437 $67,731
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discpline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Manufacturing (18%) Manufacturing (15%) Manufacturing (17%)
Accommodation and Food Services (12%) Educational Services (15%) Retail Trade (17%)
Retail Trade (11%) Health Care and Social Assistance (11%) Educational Services (13%)
Educational Services (10%) Accommodation and Food Services (10%) Health Care and Social Assistance (13%)
Other Services (Except Public Administration) (10%) Administrative and Support and Waste Management Remediation Services (9%) Administrative Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (9%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our English Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's English program work for various companies, including:

  • The Altoona Mirror
  • Blair County Courts
  • Hilton Hotels Corporation
  • Juniata College
  • Paperpile
  • Synthex Organics, LLC

Career titles include:

  • Content Writer
  • Library Access and Collections Coordinator
  • Product Communication Manager
  • Sales Associate

Alumni Highlights

Lauren Everett

Library Access and Collections Coordinator, Juniata College

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Arts in English

"When I first entered Penn State Altoona, I started out as undecided because I wasn't sure what my interest and skills in writing would amount to when it comes to life outside academia. However, pursuing an English major had quelled my anxieties for my future after working under the guidance of wonderful professors whose expertise sharpened my writing and communications skills.

"I often utilize many of these skills in my current job working at Juniata College's library, for I constantly have to be clear and precise in my language when interacting with the student workers I oversee and the faculty I interact with. I also find my creative skills an asset to my job, which was also something I valued using in my English degree.

"English courses always provided room for free-spirited exploration into personal interests and passions--something I always valued highly when completing writing assignments and projects. Truthfully, I am forever indebted to all my learning as an English major; I look upon all my memories at Penn State Altoona with joyous satisfaction because of the classes, professors, and friends I had along the way.

"I really couldn't have had a better college experience, all thanks to the English program."

Amy Mallory-Kani

Product Communication Manager, Paperpile

  • Class of 2007
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, Penn State Altoona, 2007
  • Doctorate (Ph.D.) in English, University at Albany (SUNY), 2014
  • Certificate in UX/UI Design, Eleven Fifty Academy, 2020

"I can’t stress this enough: an English major provides you with the critical thinking and communication skills that are seriously valued in many fields. I have heard from several of my employers that my writing and research skills, creative problem-solving ability, and capacity for observing patterns and connecting those to ‘the bigger picture’ (learned through a lot of close reading in literature classes) made me a stand-out employee."

Heather Myers

Ph.D. Candidate in Creative Writing, University of North Texas

  • Class of 2016
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, minor in Women's Studies, Penn State Altoona
  • Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing [Poetry]), graduate certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies, West Virginia University

"I wouldn't be a student going towards a Ph.D. in Creative Writing if it weren't for the English program at Penn State Altoona, which taught me how to look at my work critically, how to revise, and how to keep pushing forward."

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Human Development and Family Studies program, established in 1999.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $21,957 $27,943 $33,597
5 Years $28,020 $35,121 $43,351
10 Years $31,505 $40,788 $51,645
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Health Care and Social Assistance (74%) Health Care and Social Assistance (58%) Health Care and Social Assistance (76%)
Educational Services (5%) Educational Services (11%) Educational Services (11%)
Accommodation and Food Services (5%) Public Administration (4%) Retail Trade (4%)
Public Administration (4%) Accommodation and Food Services (5%) Public Administration (4%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (3%) Administrative Support and Waste and Remediation Services (4%) Accommodation and Food Services (3%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Human Development and Family Studies Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Human Development and Family Studies program work for various companies, including:

  • Blair Family Solutions
  • Family Intervention Crisis Services
  • Youth Advocate Program
  • Allied Services Independence Blue Cross

Career titles include:

  • Lead Teacher
  • Therapist
  • Brain Injury Specialist
  • Counselor
  • Applied Behavioral Analyst

Health Professions and Related Programs

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Kinesiology program, established in 2017.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $47,574 $55,498 $66,477
5 Years $56,328 $73,147 $86,920
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Health Care and Social Assistance (82%) Health Care and Social Assistance (77%) Health Care and Social Assistance (47%)
Educational Services (4%) Educational Services (3%) Transportation and Warehousing (10%)
Wholesale Trade (3%) Transportation and Warehousing (3%) Educational Services (8%)
Retail Trade (2%) Retail Trade (3%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (7%)
Transportation and Warehousing (2%) Information (2%) Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (5%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

History

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's History program, established in 2005.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $21,097 $27,408 $76,608
5 Years $25,517 $34,656 $51,413
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation
Retail Trade (19%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (14%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (18%) Health Care and Social Assistance (14%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (14%) Public Administration (13%)
Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (13%) Retail Trade (11%)
Educational Services (11%) Manufacturing (10%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Criminal Justice programs, established in 1999; the Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations program, established in 2019; and the Security and Risk Analysis program, established in 2008.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $22,211 $29,985 $37,609
5 Years $32,370 $43,645 $58,573
10 Years $40,561 $52,262 $69,958
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Public Administration (26%) Public Adminitration (32%) Public Administration (31%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (25%) Health Care and Social Assistance (23%) Health Care and Social Assistance (23%)
Retail Trade (13%) Retail Trade (7%) Retail Trade (8%)
Accommodation and Food Services (8%) Educational Services (6%) Educational Services (7%)
Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (8%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (6%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (5%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Criminal Justice Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Criminal Justice programs work for various companies, including:

  • Commonwealth of PA
  • Blair County Courts
  • Children and Family Services
  • Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services

Career titles include:

  • Corrections Officer
  • Caseworker
  • Bail Investigator
  • Parole Officer
  • Mental Health Worker

Our Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations program work for various companies, including:

  • Comcast
  • Federal Bureau of Investigations
  • Berry Solutions Group

Career titles include:

  • Development Engineer
  • IT Specialist
  • Security Compliance Analyst

Our Security and Risk Analysis Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Security and Risk Analysis program work for various companies, including:

  • Deloitte
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Ernst & Young
  • KPMG
  • Lockheed Martin

Career titles include:

  • Security Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Consultant
  • Business Technology Analyst
  • Cyber Risk Consultant

Alumni Highlights

Jarrett Imler

Application Security analyst, Sheetz Corporation; Penetration Tester, Appalachia Technologies

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis

Jarrett Imler ties his success finding employment to the research he conducted as a student at Penn State Altoona. Working alongside Professor Syed Rizvi, Imler published two research papers, which caught the eyes of employers and helped him to land his current position. These experiences, in addition to classes taught by Professor David Barnes, are what Imler feels best prepared him for success in the industry. Additionally, he says that his time in the SRA club on campus provided him with valuable insights and practices that proved valuable in his career.

Imler’s advice for incoming students is to continue learning when they leave the classroom and to get involved early on campus. Do research, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Imler feels that there is a place for everyone within cyber security, and he believes that his experiences at Penn State Altoona helped him to find his place.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Multidisciplinary Studies program (formerly Letters, Arts, and Sciences), established in 1997.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $21,258 $29,000 $40,673
5 Years $28,475 $37,402 $48,254
10 Years $34,656 $44,975 $62,355
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Health Care and Social Assistance (26%) Health Care and Social Assistance (26%) Health Care and Social Assistance (18%)
Public Administration (17%) Educational Services (17%) Educaitonal Services (13%)
Retail Trade (12%) Manufacturing (15%) Manufacturing (11%)
Manufacturing (9%) Finance and Insurance (11%) Finance and Insurance (11%)
Finance and Insurance (9%) Retail Trade (6%) Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (11%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Multidisciplinary Studies Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Multidisciplinary Studies program work for various companies, including:

  • Penn State
  • Sheetz
  • Acme Markets
  • Geisinger
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Career titles include:

  • Accountant
  • Academic Systems Specialist
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Director of Development

Natural Resources and Conservation

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Environmental Studies Bachelor of Arts programs, established in 2000 (bachelor of arts option), and 2013 (bachelor of science option).

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $24,059 $32,293 $40,814
5 Years $39,012 $48,254 $64,933
10 Years $35,431 $50,137 $61,249
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (21%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (22%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (23%)
Public Administration (13%) Public Administration (19%) Public Administration (16%)
Educational Services (11%) Manufacturing (16%) Accommodation and Food Services (11%)
Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (10%) Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (14%) Health Care and Social Assistance (9%)
Manufacturing (9%) Health Care and Social Assistance (9%) Construction (7%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Environmental Studies Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Environmental Studies programs work for various companies, including:

  • ENTACT
  • BluAcres
  • Pennsylvania Game Commission
  • Advantage Engineers
  • Mountain Research, Inc.
  • Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Career titles include:

  • Conservation Technician
  • Environmental Technician
  • Naturalist
  • Habitat Technician

Psychology

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Psychology programs, established in 2003.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $19,794 $25,483 $33,820
5 Years $30,807 $37,713 $48,963
10 Years $36,012 $48,321 $66,382
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Health Care and Social Assistance (46%) Health Care and Social Assistance (49%) Health Care and Social Assistance (65%)
Accommodation and Food Services (10%) Public Administration (9%) Public Administration (10%)
Public Administration (8%) Educational Services (8%) Educational Services (7%)
Retail Trade (6%) Retail Trade (6%) Administrative and Support and Waste and Remediation Services (6%)
Manufacturing (6%) Accommodation and Food Services (5%) Retail Trade (3%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Psychology Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Psychology program work for various companies, including:

  • UPMC
  • Penn State
  • Oracle Corporation
  • Teach for America

Career titles include:

  • Recruiter
  • Teacher
  • Therapeutic Staff Support
  • Business Development Consultant

Alumni Highlights

Olivia Ronan

Blended Case Manager, CenClear, Blair County

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

In addition to working full-time, Ronan is completing her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling at Mount Aloysius College to prepare for licensure as a professional counselor. As part of her undergraduate research experience in psychology, Olivia was invited to contribute to a paper that was recently accepted for publication in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Visual and Performing Arts

The information below represents graduates of Penn State Altoona's Visual Art Studies program, established in 2007.

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $16,393 $21,233 $26,021
5 Years $21,314 $26,567 $35,320
10 Years $24,249 $30,520 $86,588
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Transportation and Warehousing (21%) Retail Trade (18%) Retail Trade (17%)
Manufacturing (15%) Manufacturing (16%) Manufacturing (10%)
Retail Trade (12%) Transportation and Warehousing (8%) Health Care and Social Assistance (10%)
Health Care and Social Assistance (11%) Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (8%) Educational Services (9%)
Educational Services (8%) Educational Services (8%) Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (9%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Our Visual Art Studies Graduates

Graduates of Penn State Altoona's Visual Art Studies program work for various companies, including:

  • Allegheny Unlimited Care
  • Altoona Family Physicians
  • Gordon Sinclair
  • Penn State Altoona

Career titles include:

  • Direct Care Provider
  • Emerging Artist-in-Residence
  • Production Assistant
  • Theater and Gallery Coordinator

Alumni Highlights

Madeleine “Maddie” Quinn

Emerging Artist-in-Residence, Penn State Altoona

  • Class of 2018
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art Studies

Maddie Quinn graduated top of her class in Visual Art Studies (VAST) having earned several programmatic awards. She then earned admission to the MFA program at Penn State, University Park. She graduated with her MFA in 2022, focusing her MFA work mostly on photography. Quinn began teaching as a part-time instructor in art at Penn State Altoona in the fall of 2022 and was recently named the 2023 Emerging Artist-in-Residence at Penn State Altoona—a tremendous honor and our first VAST graduate student to earn this position.

Emily Beam

AmeriCorps worker, Penn State Altoona and Altoona Family Physicians

  • Class of 2021
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art Studies

Emily Beam graduated top of her class in VAST, having each of the three art merit awards we grant in the program throughout her career. She double-majored in VAST and biology and intends to enter medical school in order to be a physician. Since graduation, Emily has been working for AmeriCorps both on campus in Community-Based Studies projects through our internship office and also at Altoona Family Physicians. In her medical school application essay, Emily makes it clear that her experience as a trained artist, though VAST, has served her future potential as a doctor in several ways through the ability to think creatively and observe carefully.

Kylea Myers

Theatre and Gallery Coordinator, Penn State Altoona

  • Class of 2017
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art Studies

Kylea Myers moved quickly through the ranks of several museum-based employment opportunities post-graduation at Penn State Altoona as the assistant to the Theatre and Gallery Manager and also with various positions within the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. She is now serving as Penn State Altoona’s Theatre and Gallery Coordinator and overseeing all aspects of theatre and gallery productions, installations, artist and performer communications, and public relations. Myers also serves as the safety officer for the Misciagna Center for the Performing Arts.

Gary Josh Weyandt

Pursuing an MFA in Illustration, Savannah College of Art and Design

  • Class of 2020
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art Studies

Gary Weyandt graduated from VAST during COVID when our campus art galleries were closed. This impacted our fourth-year students’ abilities to install their capstone exhibitions. Weyandt elected to gut an abandoned school bus on some land owned by his family to convert it into an art gallery so that he could properly show his capstone artwork. The result was likely more impressive than what would have occurred in a traditional gallery setting.

All Instructional Programs

Earnings and Career Categories

Pennsylvania Earnings Outcomes
Years Post Graduation Lower 25% Middle 50% Top 25%
1 Year $24,115 $34,182 $50,371
5 Years $33,926 $46,712 $67,249
10 Years $39,819 $53,669 $78,203
Top 5 Pennsylvania Industries Employing Graduates in this Discipline
1 Year Post Graduation 5 Years Post Graduation 10 Years Post Graduation
Health Care and Social Assistance (24%) Health Care and Social Assistance (25%) Health Care and Social Assistance (20%)
Manufacturing (12%) Educational Services (14%) Educational Services (16%)
Educational Services (11%) Manufacturing (11%) Manufacturing (11%)
Retail Trade (10%) Retail Trade (8%) Retail Trade (8%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (7%) Public Administration (8%) Public Administration (8%)

The information above represents Penn State Altoona graduates who are employed in Pennsylvania. More information is available at Penn State’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.


Updated February 20, 2023.