To help students meet future employer and workforce needs, UW-Stout’s Career Services infuses Career Readiness Competencies into its applied learning programs, Cooperative Education and Internship Program and Grow, Persist, Succeed, which have been recognized nationally and statewide.
Career Services offers events and workshops for students and alumni to build on these competencies, as well as grow their professional networks. One of its largest events – the biannual Career Conference Week – offers five industry-specific events centered on computing, packaging, print and design, science and engineering, construction, management, hospitality and human sciences.
From Monday, Feb. 23, to Thursday, Feb. 26, students and alumni are encouraged to attend any and all days of the conference, as many industry sectors hire across disciplines.
Students, alumni connect with hundreds of national recruiters at Career Conference Week, Feb. 23-26
Continue ReadingPrior to the conference, Career Services hosts a Prep Week, with drop-in resume reviews, a signature Blue Devil Prep for Success event and more. Two new career education workshops include panels on 3D modeling and authenticity in the workplace, led by professionals from Medtronic, Miron Construction, Life Time and UW-Stout faculty.
3D Design in Action
An industry panel on 3D Design in Action will show game design and animation students how the 3D skills they are developing can be used beyond the game industry. Construction and design professionals Taylor Poss with Medtronic, Brian Athey with Miron Construction, and Lindsay Seichter with Life Time, will share real examples of how they use 3D tools, what skills they look for when hiring and how game-based experiences transfer to work within these industries. A Q&A will follow.
The panel will be from 11:15 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Applied Arts room 321. All students and alumni are encouraged to attend and follow up with these companies and others at the Construction: Design, Build, Manage career conference that day.
Authenticity & Professionalism Workshop
A new interactive workplace readiness workshop on Feb. 17 invited students to participate in small-group discussions to reflect on what authenticity and professionalism look like. Co-hosted by the university’s Underrepresented Faculty & Staff Alliance, professionals shared real stories about how they learned to “show up” at work, set professional boundaries, and navigate workplace expectations and policies, without losing who they are. The session wrapped up with practical advice from the panelists for students to consider as they navigate the job search process.
Additional Career Services programs and events this spring include Human Sciences Day on Wednesday, April 8; Art & Design Week - Portfolio Review Day on Friday, April 10; and more.
Infusion of Career Readiness Competencies is the ‘why’ to majors at UW-Stout
The National Association of Colleges & Employers established a foundation of Career Readiness Competency skills for students to ensure successful entrance and launch into a career. Based on research, eight competencies were created and established:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
UW-Stout graduates are in demand, with 99% employed or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation. UW-Stout undergraduates have an average starting salary of $57,000, and those with graduate degrees have an annual starting salary of $74,000, according to the university’s most recent First Destination Report.
