UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, recognizes the importance of adapting degrees to evolving industries and workforce needs, with the university’s No. 1 enduring goal to “offer high quality, challenging academic programs that influence and respond to a changing society.”
Employers like Enterprise Mobility, EVCO Plastics, Fastenal, Greenheck Group, Heartland Business Systems, Menards Inc. and Phillips Medisize recognize these changes as well and seek out employees who can adapt to and are excited about growing career opportunities. These organizations – among the many participating in UW-Stout’s Career Conference Week, Monday, Feb. 23, to Thursday, Feb. 26 – share their perspectives on evolving industries.
During the week, recruiters from hundreds of companies from across the United States will engage with more than 2,000 students and alumni for internships and post-graduation positions. Employers attending also include SpaceX, Boston Scientific, Ecolab, Great Northern Corp., Kohler, Kraus-Anderson, Prent Corp., Schreiber Foods, Skyward, Sundt Construction and more.
“As industries evolve, whether AI, materials, process or culture driven, UW-Stout is preparing students to meet those needs,” said Career Services Director Bryan Barts. “The career conference this spring will not only provide substantial recruitment opportunities, but we have expanded to offer two new career education sessions for students: 3D modeling skills workshop for design students across medical device and construction fields, as well as a workplace readiness panel on Authenticity and Professionalism, in collaboration with the Underrepresented Faculty and Staff Alliance.”
The five industry-focused fairs, hosted by Career Services at the Memorial Student Center, will center on computing, packaging, print and design, science and engineering, construction, management, hospitality and human sciences.
Students and alumni are encouraged to attend any and all days, as many industry sectors hire across disciplines.
Enterprise Mobility
Enterprise Mobility, a leading provider of mobility services, continues to see careers in the management and hospitality industry evolve rapidly as customer expectations, mobility solutions and technology advance. What hasn’t changed is the strong foundation of its Management Training Program, which grows as it develops future leaders who can adapt to shifting business needs.
“We’re seeing emerging opportunities in areas like fleet modernization, technology-driven operational efficiency and expanded mobility offerings that go far beyond traditional car rental,” said Connor Foor, group talent acquisition manager. “As our business evolves, so do the skillsets we’re developing. We’re focused on blending leadership, customer service, and entrepreneurial decision making with exposure to data, logistics and sustainability-focused initiatives. It’s an exciting time to build a career in mobility, as we work together to ‘Advance the World, One Journey at a Time.’”
UW-Stout majors in business administration, management and leadership, hospitality, computer science or IT-related programs may connect with Enterprise Mobility and other management-sector employers on the Thursday of Career Conference Week.
EVCO Plastics
EVCO Plastics, a global leader in custom plastic injection molding, headquartered in DeForest, is seeing careers in plastics engineering expand in exciting directions as the industry evolves. Emerging opportunities in advanced materials, automation and digital manufacturing are creating demand for engineers who can blend deep technical expertise with curiosity.
Sustainability is also a growing focus, from circular design and bio-based polymers to optimized recycling processes. EVCO is adapting by implementing greener practices and cross-functional development programs. Ultimately, the future of plastics engineering will be shaped by professionals who are agile learners, innovators and collaborators across disciplines.
UW-Stout STEM majors and those with interests in sustainability are encouraged to talk to EVCO Plastics and other science and engineering employers on the Tuesday of Career Conference Week.
Fastenal
Fastenal is always looking at what could be coming next and continues to evolve over time. Whether that be developing strategies to better suit its customers, remaining innovative with the constant adaptation in technology and the services offered, or even creating new roles internally to support various business needs.
Fastenal, located in Winona, Minnesota, is the largest fastener distributor in North America. UW-Stout engineering and automation majors and computer science or IT-related majors are encouraged to talk to Fastenal and other science and engineering employers on the Tuesday of Career Conference Week.
Greenheck Group
Greenheck Group is an industry leader in manufacturing automation, with innovation as one of its core values – so much so that one of its divisions is the Machine Development Center, a 70,000-square-foot manufacturing automation facility. It also has a 72,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Schofield and a15,000-square-foot Psychrometric Testing Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dedicated to cutting-edge engineering and testing, ensuring Greenheck’s product performance is leading the pack.
Greenheck Group is seeing expanding opportunities across engineering, IT, operations, and supply chain, driven by continued product and people innovation, including early adoption of automation and AI to enhance work.
All facets of Greenheck Group, from manufacturing to sales, utilize deep data to make educated decisions on market conditions and investments in operations. This creates new, modern job opportunities and ensures Greenheck continues as a leader in the ventilation industry, said Courtney Lindemann, early talent program specialist.
“Careers in our field are evolving quickly as demand grows for healthy, energy-efficient buildings, and as technology transforms how solutions are designed and delivered,” Lindemann added. “We’re responding by investing in early-talent development, hands-on learning, and strong industry-education partnerships that help prepare the next generation to succeed in a complex, high-impact field. We are so happy to partner with UW-Stout and continue the importance of early talent within our industry.”
UW-Stout engineering and automation majors, as well as those in supply chain management and computer science or IT-related programs, are encouraged to talk to Greenheck Group and other science and engineering employers on the Tuesday of Career Conference Week.
Heartland Business Systems
From an IT company perspective, Heartland Business Systems is seeing rapid growth in roles that are related to cloud, cybersecurity, AI-enabled solutions, data analytics, managed services and IT transformation consulting. Many companies are moving away from the traditional infrastructure and toward a more flexible, service-based model, which is increasing the need for professionals who can connect technical expertise with business strategies and client engagement.
“HBS is adapting by continuing to invest in early-career talent, strengthening our internship program and focusing on hands-on learning to ensure students are graduating with real-world experience,” said Natalie Hurley, college recruiter. “The future of IT careers is becoming more interdisciplinary, where technical expertise combined with strong communication, problem-solving and adaptability will be essential as technology continues to improve.”
Headquartered in Little Chute, with 10 locations throughout the Midwest, HBS provides complete, local, end-to-end technology solutions to commercial, public sector and small- to medium-sized businesses. UW-Stout majors in computer science, cybersecurity or IT-related programs, as well as business administration, management and leadership majors, may connect with Enterprise Mobility and other management-sector employers on the Thursday of Career Conference Week.
Menards Inc.
Menards Inc. sees the business field changing faster than ever, opening the door to new and exciting career paths. From data-driven decision making and e-commerce to supply chain innovation and leadership development, today’s business careers blend technology, creativity and problem-solving. Students who build strong foundations while staying open to learning new tools and trends will be well-positioned for long-term success.
UW-Stout majors in business administration, management and leadership, hospitality, supply chain management, computer science or IT-related programs may connect with Menards and other computing and management-sector employers on the Monday and Thursday of Career Conference Week.
Phillips Medisize
Phillips Medisize, an international medical device manufacturer headquartered in Hudson, is adapting by strengthening its partnerships with academic institutions, expanding international programming, and applying new technologies to improve the efficiency and impact of its early career experiences.
“Careers in our field are evolving rapidly as organizations increasingly prioritize innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration and digital fluency,” said Hadyn Hebert, early careers manager. “Emerging opportunities are centered around leveraging data-driven decision making, enhancing global talent development, and building more inclusive leadership pipelines. As the workforce continues to shift, there’s a growing emphasis on flexibility, lifelong learning, and designing roles that can evolve with changing business needs.”
UW-Stout engineering and automation majors, as well as those in computer science or IT-related programs, are encouraged to talk to Phillips Medisize and other science and engineering employers on the Tuesday of Career Conference Week.
Career Conference Week events are:
- Monday: Computing: Data, Software and Security
- Tuesday morning: Packaging, Print and Design
- Tuesday afternoon: Science and Engineering
- Wednesday: Construction: Design, Build, Manage
- Thursday: Management: Business, Hospitality and Human Sciences
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.
Student success is the leading goal of UW-Stout’s FOCUS 2030 strategic plan, ensuring students are career-ready before graduation. The Cooperative Education and Internship Program is one facet of that road to success. Nearly 1,000 students enroll each year in CEIP, completing hands-on co-ops and internships at more than 500 companies in Wisconsin and nationally.
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.
