By Micaela Myers
Career preparation comes in many forms—knowledge learned in class, confidence from leadership roles, real-world experience, mentoring from experienced professionals, and a polished resume and cover letter, as well as interview skills. The University of Wyoming aims to help students in each of these areas, with about 300 employers recruiting on campus each year, 66 percent of graduates landing job offers or graduate school plans within three months of commencement and an average starting salary for a bachelor’s degree of $45,819.
Career preparation for any student begins with a strong foundation. “My studies at UW in the political science department helped me immensely because they greatly honed my research and report writing abilities,” says alumna Abby Cook of Powell, Wyo., who graduated December 2010 and now works in Beijing, China. “These skills were crucial in getting to the position I currently hold, as I’ve had to do extensive market research and business development analyses. My studies also contributed to enhancing my communication and interpersonal skills, as well as providing me with a holistic understanding of team management.”
In addition to the knowledge and skills gained via coursework, personal mentoring becomes a key factor for students. “When it comes to career preparation, my mentors, advisers and professors in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources were the No. 1 factor,” says Sami Jo Heitsch of Cheyenne, Wyo., who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications in May 2014 and is now the special events coordinator for RFD-TV in Nashville, Tenn. “Having those mentors who knew my name, my story and my passions and continuously checked up on me was definitely the most important thing.”
Subscribe to UWyo to read the full story.
