NEWS

Making employment work post-WCC

Experts, alumni share data, experiences after graduation

The cost of living in Washtenaw County is notably higher than in neighboring areas.
Jada Hauser | The Washtenaw Voice

Beck Elandt | Staff Writer

As you walk around the campus, you will likely come across the following message: “What do you call someone who went to WCC? Employed.”

It’s not easy to track the career trajectory of students post-college, but it may be worth considering their limitless possible demographics. One can take classes to explore their options, transfer to another institution, earn a certificate or master a skill. One can be supported by their family, the government or themselves. One could be going through a rough patch in life, have everything planned out for the next five years or have no clue as to what they want to do.

Anchored in Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) graduate and WCC alumnus Maggie Hanks makes a living through massage therapy and is a great example of how community can impact a life. Having spent time dabbling in different courses and careers, Hanks knew all along that Washtenaw’s community was worth it.

“At WCC I got to experiment,” said Hanks, adding, “I just have my roots here; this is my home, and I like learning for fun.”

While it’s the student’s job to pursue and decide on careers, it’s the college’s job to offer a variety of programs that lead to solid, in-demand career opportunities.

When people in Washtenaw pay property taxes, some of the funds go to supporting WCC and its programs, making it a reasonable investment in the local economy, similar to how Michigan roads are funded.

Policy

On the topic of policy, look no further than the board of trustees.

Every program and course that WCC provides costs money. At the most recent board of trustees meeting on April 22, trustees voted unanimously to add four out of five programs. Trustee Eileen Peck was the only one who did not approve of the paraprofessional certificate program, citing the lack of pay it would provide as a career.

While there is currently little data on how many times or how often people switch careers in the state of Michigan, trustees agree that the community should pay attention to its workforce’s needs and, ideally, it can provide workers for itself.

Regarding the cost of living in Washtenaw County, Peck said in an interview with the Voice that “WCC has a responsibility to create programs for students that will allow them to earn a high wage in high-demand fields.”

Peck noted that “those kinds of programs can attract new employers and new investment in the economy, and can help people find ways to afford to live in Washtenaw County.”

Cost of living

Referencing MIT’s Living wage calculator, a Washtenaw resident living on their own in 2025 needs to make $23.82 an hour working full time (2,080 hours per year) to meet the basic needs of life, roughly three dollars more than the average hourly wage ($20.97) of the state.

Washtenaw’s average annual housing cost is $15,991, accounting for rent and mortgage. Compared to surrounding counties, Livingston ($11,665), Jackson ($9,411) or Wayne ($11,091), it makes sense why someone might choose to live there instead.

Like cost, the average earnings for Ann Arbor residents are higher, at $27 per hour or $56,165 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.com. However, it’s worth noting that the top three employers in Washtenaw County are all healthcare departments. Annarborusa.org names these as U-M healthcare, Trinity Health Michigan, and VA Ann Arbor, which are typically high-paying fields across the country.

Commute consideration

Jason Beckerleg, an EMU and WCC alumnus, had a bachelor’s in fine arts from EMU before earning a certificate in graphic design from WCC in 2009. After working freelance for newspapers in the Washtenaw area, Beckerleg secured a job as the director of marketing and communications for Emerson School and moved to Milan County from a pricey apartment in Ann Arbor, where he commutes.

“I’m tied,” said Beckerleg about his Washtenaw roots, knowing he could “make a lot more money somewhere else.” Beckerleg’s best advice for anyone trying to afford a living while attending WCC is to make good connections with teachers and have a couple of good mentors. Beckerleg, like many other residents, loves the community and feels as though it is worth the cost.

It stands to reason that the closer someone can reside to their employer, the more effective their lifestyle. Putting an hour each workday on the commute clock can alter one’s lifestyle.

An article on Indeed.com, a global job site, sheds light on what makes a commute worthwhile. Your morning routine, hobbies and family time can all be affected by a time crunch between work and home. The team at Indeed said, “The commute is an important factor when trying to decide whether to accept a job offer.”

Through the services WCC’s Center for Career Success provides, students can receive career advising, help prepare for interviews, and receive resume reviews, in addition to accessing career opportunities through the “Handshake” platform. Kordilia Noble, director of the Center of Career Success, promotes the connection between college students and their careers. “We don’t want to limit students’ opportunities,” she says.

WCC has served as a springboard for the lives of its former students. For those interested in WCC and how its programs extend into the workforce, visit the Center for Career Success in SC 112 or online through the WCC website.

For information about graduation/transfer out rates and other enrollment statistics, visit the National Center for Education Statistics and search for Washtenaw Community College.