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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:25:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsingoersab August 26, 2026

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Supply chain management, business administration and construction management are interconnected industries that transform ideas and resources into projects that improve the places where people live, work and gather. Supply chain professionals ensure that materials, services and resources move efficiently, while business professionals help organizations make strategic decisions and manage people, finances and operations. Construction professionals then bring those plans to life by creating the physical spaces that support businesses, families and communities.

Together, these fields offered �� Polytechnic student Katelynn Peterson opportunities to develop versatile skills, explore meaningful careers and see how her work can have a tangible impact. As a supply chain management major, she served as a business administration intern at Michels Construction Inc., in Lomira. She was one of the first interns placed in this role and managed more than 100 Michels interns.

Peterson was even given the opportunity to take a day trip on a private jet to Syracuse, New York, to watch Project Yankee, where Michels is testing deep foundation pouring for Micron ��. new microchip facility – a $100 billion, 680-acre-plus project.

“The opportunities are endless with Michels,” she said. “If you want to try something new or go somewhere for more experience, Michels is more than willing to put you where you need to be. This company is incredibly flexible in developing a strong career through support, networking and experience.”

Peterson, of New Richmond, expects to graduate in spring 2029, and plans to one day work at the corporate level in supply chain management.

“What interests me is the operations behind companies regarding transportation, logistics and quality management,” she said. “I hope to make an impact in my field by setting a positive, professional, and respectful standard, while finding the best protocols and operations within any project or company.”

Peterson was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as an intern at Michels Construction?

As a business administration intern, my main role was managing 115 of the 335 interns in the program. I used Excel to manage all the information. I monitored and managed their time clocks for payroll processing using ExakTime, tracked dashcam alerts with Samsara and audited their receipts for thousands of transactions in Corpay.

I had to navigate best operations for handling all of this for future business admins. Mass communicating to so many interns was challenging – sending proper protocols, policies, standards, training guides and more proved to be more than difficult. It was hard maneuvering all the communication consistently amongst the number of employees, but after finding the best system, it worked out very pleasantly.

What is a project you helped with at Michels Construction?

I created the Business Administration Playbook. It ��. a standard operating procedure (SOP) document that contained everything I did for the summer as a training guide for future business administration interns.

With two other interns placed in this role, it was a lot of organizing and navigating the best processes throughout the three months. We created the guide for those who may need it in the future.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I enjoyed the networking and professional relationships, as well as friendships that I made. This internship presented endless opportunities for me to experience more – even developing relationships with executives and presidents. This gave me the opportunity to watch testing be done on-site firsthand for Project Yankee for Micron.

Currently, Michels is testing foundation pouring for 80-foot caissons, which are underground cement pipes. They are testing about 10 of these pours before pouring the thousands to come. It was neat to see a challenge firsthand and watch the engineers navigate solutions and what to do going forward.

What advice would you give other students who are given large responsibilities?

Be confident! Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters. Even if you aren’t sure about what you are doing, you can be confident in navigating the next best steps to get there. Others see this motivation, and it will only make them more confident in having you experience different things.

Do you think your courses and experiences at Stout will help you to make an impact?

Yes! I do think my courses and experiences at Stout will help me to make this impact. The Career Conference Week that Stout hosts twice a year has so much potential for any individual, with any opportunity, in any major. The engaging, hands-on courses are informative and provide both soft skills and technical skills.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Co-op Q&A: Scott Stewart, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloit

‘Supply chains connect everything – materials, information and people all work together.’

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’ Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction intern

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Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

goersab — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:20:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Fallsgoersab August 26, 2026

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Great Northern Corporation, which manufactures packaging and retail displays, is headquartered in Appleton and has operations in ﬁve states. It employs more than 1,700 people nationwide, including more than 40 �� Polytechnic alumni. For more than 60 years, Great Northern has led the way in recyclable packaging, protective components, and retail display solutions that help customers succeed while minimizing environmental impact.

This summer, �� Polytechnic student Owen Whitney, a double major in business administration and supply chain management, served as a supply chain intern at Great Northern ��. Chippewa Falls location.

He worked independently to find areas of improvement within the company, developed solutions and ran projects to implement those solutions.

Whitney, of Morristown, Minnesota, plans to graduate in spring 2028 and would like to work in either project management or within supply chain.

“As a message for other students, I would say: do internships. I know it sounds cliché, and I know everyone says it, but they are telling the truth. Try to get one every year. Go to every career fair. I know they can be intimidating at first, but being uncomfortable is what creates some of the greatest growth. Eventually, you’ll start to see that discomfort turn into comfort, or at the very least, it won’t feel like something to fear anymore. That builds confidence, and that confidence builds you,” said Whitney, who also has minors in sales and marketing and computer science.

Whitney was one of 745 �� Polytechnic students enrolled in Career Services' Cooperative Education and Internship Program this summer. CEIP ensures structure, support and collaborative partnerships between employers, students, faculty and staff.

What were your main roles as a supply chain intern at Great Northern Corporation?

What interested me in interning with Great Northern was that not only would I get experience in a supply chain role, but I would also gain knowledge in how to run projects. Getting this real experience was valuable in many ways to me. It allowed me to learn that progress takes time, organization is vital, and that being resourceful is necessary in project management.

As a supply chain intern, I spent a lot of time walking through the days of our employees to see what would stick out to me. I did a lot of research, reached out to vendors, grabbed important details, presented ideas to my boss, planned out next steps and solutions, tested, and did what I could to finish the projects I started.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoyed most about my internship was getting to meet members of each role in the company and learn all about their position. This allowed me to make connections with many people and really understand how my role in the company ��. process works from start to finish.

I also really enjoyed having the freedom to choose my own projects. Being able to identify an area for improvement and then take the initiative to develop and implement a solution was very interesting and rewarding. It gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.

What are one or two projects you helped with at Great Northern Corporation?

Currently, the Great Northern production lines use paper quality sheets to document quality checks. A member of the company had the idea of transitioning these sheets to iPads, and I helped turn that idea into a more achievable concept. I edited a digital version of the quality sheets in Excel, incorporating features such as checkboxes, automatic timestamps, and other functionalities to make the process more efficient and user-friendly. I also developed a macro that allows the digital quality sheets to be automatically duplicated and organized as many times as needed, regardless of the number of sheets required. This will allow the whole system to be much more user-friendly, and a digital version would mean it would be much better organized.

Another project I helped with involved Great Northern ��. improvement idea process, where employees can submit ideas for improving operations. However, the existing process was entirely paper-based, requiring employees to fill out a physical form, management to manually review each submission and the completed forms to be stored. I developed a digital system to streamline this process and make it easier to manage from submission through approval.

I began by converting the existing improvement idea sheet into a Microsoft Form so employees could submit their ideas electronically. I then created a centralized Microsoft List to automatically store the responses in an organized format. From there, I used Power Automate to build the workflow that connects the different parts of the process. The workflow can notify the appropriate manager when an idea is submitted, route the idea through the necessary approval levels, update the submission based on the decisions made and send the appropriate notifications throughout the process.

The project also required me to troubleshoot and adapt the system as I developed it. When I found a limitation that affected the system, I worked with the corporate IT team to find an alternative solution.

Overall, this project gave me experience designing an automated process from the ground up. While I was not physically writing traditional code, I had to use the same type of logical thinking involved in programming, such as mapping out how information should move through the system, identifying potential problems, troubleshooting them and developing solutions to make the process work efficiently.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

The freedom was one of the most challenging aspects of my internship. It is also funny that the part of my internship I found most rewarding was also one of the most challenging. I had near-complete freedom over how I structured my days, which was very different from any job I had worked before. Instead of being given a set list of daily responsibilities, I had to identify areas that could be improved and then figure out how to approach them.

My managers were always great about answering questions and providing direction, but I still had to learn how to work independently. For a few weeks, I had to take a step back and focus on improving my organization, planning ahead, and becoming more comfortable reaching out to people and vendors.

I faced the challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference, and over time I became much more comfortable working independently and taking ownership of my projects. I know I still have much to improve on, but this challenge helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to make an impact by being good at what I do. My impact in project management would be knowing my company well, understanding the roles, communicating well and planning ahead. I want to make a difference at the places I work; I want to be an asset, I want to make others’ lives easier, and I want to be the best version of myself. So, I think the way I can have the biggest impact on my field is by being coachable and wanting to learn from everyone ��. perspective. With that, I think I could become well-rounded and knowledgeable in whatever job I’m in.

How will your experiences at Stout help you to make that impact?

My courses and experiences have already helped me a lot. My first year, I was an undecided student and wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I was deciding between computer science and business, and because I like planning and thinking about the future, not knowing what direction I wanted to take was really stressful for me.

However, by listening to the students and teachers around me, I slowly started to narrow down what I wanted to do. I especially want to credit one person: Kelly Wenig, my first-year advisor. He worked with me throughout my first year to help me develop a plan and commit to something. At first, I chose computer science, then switched to business a semester later, and eventually added supply chain as a double major this past semester. That was a lot of change, but each time I considered making a big change, I went back to Kelly. He is very personable and genuinely wants everyone to find something they can be passionate about.

By listening to him and many others, I was able to slowly work my way toward something that felt like a better fit for me. And this didn’t all happen in one day, one week, or even one month. It took me two years, and I’m still not entirely sure what I want to do. But I’ve learned that it ��. OK not to have everything figured out.

My experiences at Stout have taught me how important it is to keep learning, ask questions, and be willing to change direction when something isn’t the right fit. My courses have also given me the technical and business knowledge to actually turn ideas into solutions. Combined with the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, I feel like Stout has given me the confidence and tools to find my own path and make a difference wherever I’m meant to be.

2025 University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation

'�� . hands-on approach aligns with our values of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.'

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Whether it ��. space-oriented research, welding prowess or Science Olympiad success Blue Devils arrive with talent and motivation

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’ Owen Whitney at Great Northern Corporation

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Our B.S. Supply Chain Management integrates supply chain, operations, business, and engineering to prepare you to get the right product to the right place.

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Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

giffeyt — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accoladesgiffeyt July 17, 2026

University ranked in top tier based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

Tom Giffey

�� Polytechnic has once again been honored for providing affordable education that sets students on a path for professional success. This time, the university was ranked among the top 50 on a list of America ��. Best Value Public Universities in a study conducted by SmartAsset, which provides consumer-focused financial information.

More than 500 public universities and colleges around the United States were evaluated on average cost of attendance, median earnings for graduates and graduation rates. �� Polytechnic rose to the top based on these criteria, setting it apart from regional and national peers.

“Outcomes can vary widely by school,” SmartAsset wrote, “meaning some public universities may offer stronger returns for students seeking manageable costs and solid career prospects.”

�� Polytechnic shines in these and other areas. Blue Devils who received their undergraduate degrees in 2024-25 reported an annual starting salary of $59,000, a 4% increase from the prior year, �� . annual First Destination Report found.

The average starting salary for undergraduate degree holders from �� Polytechnic has been the highest among universities in western Wisconsin for the past seven years, representing the ongoing return on investment in an education at Wisconsin ��. ��.

The most recent survey also found that the average starting salary for graduate degree recipients was $62,000. And fully 99% of recent graduates were either employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

The top 50 ranking among America ��. Best Value Public Universities is just one of numerous honors �� Polytechnic has achieved in recent years. For two years in a row, the university ranked among America ��. Best Colleges as determined by Money Magazine.

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report ��. rankings of Best Online Programs named three �� Polytechnic programs among the best in the Midwest and nation, including Best Online Bachelor ��. in Business, Best Online Master ��. in Education and Best Online Master ��. in Engineering.

�� Polytechnic is also ranked highly for serving veterans and the military community, earning the coveted gold designation as a Military Friendly® School for 2026-27 as well as being honored on the Best for Vets Colleges list by Military Times.

And many of the university ��. programs have been cited among the best in the nation and even the world:

CEOWorld ranked the hotel, restaurant and tourism management program as No. 9 among the Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Programs in the World.
The game design programs were ranked No. 6 in the Midwest and No. 17 among all U.S. public universities by Animation Career Review.
The cybersecurity program ranked No. 14 among the Top 25 programs in the United States, according to Programs.com.
College Factual placed numerous �� Polytechnic programs – including graphic communications, video production, packaging and manufacturing engineering – among the best in the Great Lakes region. And that ��. just for starters.

�� Polytechnic ��. status as the only polytechnic university in Wisconsin or Minnesota means the institution is dedicated to applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences. The campus has three times as many labs as traditional classrooms. Each year, students take part in approximately 1,000 co-op and internship experiences, more than one-third of which lead to job offers. In fact, this spring 77% of �� Polytechnic students were hired before graduation.

In recent years, Blue Devil graduates have gone to work for hundreds of firms with household names or Fortune 500 rankings, including Amazon, Cigna, General Motors, Citigroup, Ashley Furniture, Andersen Windows, Boeing, Milwaukee Tool, Boston Scientific, Harley-Davidson, FedEx, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Nike, Oshkosh Corp., Rockwell Automation, Target and 3M.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition Students walking on �� Polytechnic campus fall 2025

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Blue Devil grads get blue-chip jobs with Fortune 500 firms

Survey finds rising pay, 99% employment rate for recent �� alums

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Co-op Q&A: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson

goersab — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:45:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidsongoersab May 12, 2026

‘My internships built on the strong foundation Stout has given me by showing me how concepts are used in actual production environments.’

For more than 120 years, Harley-Davidson, headquartered in Milwaukee, has been one of the world ��. most recognizable motorcycle brands. Dominating the U.S. market, the heavyweight motorcycles and the signature orange and black shield embody the freedom of the open road.

Just a short ride up the shores of Lake Michigan is Nicolet Plastics, with facilities in Jackson and Mountain, Wisconsin. The custom injection molding company specializes in producing complex plastic parts for industrial, medical and consumer markets. It was recently awarded the Small Business Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award.

Noah Klenner, a dual major in plastics engineering and mechanical engineering, completed two internships this year, one with each of these manufacturers.

“I most enjoyed seeing what it ��. like to work in an engineering environment at both a smaller-scale company and a larger, more well-known manufacturing plant. I have a better understanding of how different teams operate, how communication and responsibilities vary, and how engineering work changes depending on the size and structure of the company,” Klenner said.

Klenner, of Slinger, was one of 24 �� students who received the university ��. 2026 Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award. He will graduate in fall 2028 and is looking to start a role in manufacturing or process engineering, “ideally in an environment where I can continue working on product development, process improvement, and production optimization,” he said.

What were your main roles and projects at Nicolet Plastics?

At Nicolet Plastics, my first internship, was my first real-world engineering role working with injection molding machines in a manufacturing setting. As a plastics engineering intern, I worked closely with the processing team lead on injection molding process support, including helping with mold changes, machine start-ups, and adjusting processing parameters, like injection speed and temperature, to improve part quality and consistency.

Toward the end of this internship, I also helped gather data for production part approval process (PPAP) documentation. Much of my work involved monitoring and adjusting processing parameters, such as injection speed and temperature, to improve part quality and consistency. I also spent time on the production floor troubleshooting issues and working with the team to reduce defects and improve overall efficiency.

What were your main roles and projects at Harley-Davidson?

At Harley-Davidson, as an advanced manufacturing engineering intern, I worked with the new product development group, supporting new parts as they were being prepared for production. One of the main things I worked on was supporting validation efforts for new 2026 police motorcycle parts. A big part of my role was running and supporting validation testing, including ensuring cosmetic quality standards were met and helping with significant production runs (SPRs) to validate that parts and processes were capable of running at production scale.

Toward the end of this internship, I also helped create PPAP documentation for those same parts to support the production approval process. Overall, I was helping make sure parts met quality and production requirements before launch.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

One of the most challenging parts was dealing with process issues on the production floor, where there isn’t always a clear or immediate answer. In those situations, I learned to stay organized, ask the right questions, and work closely with experienced operators and engineers to narrow down the root cause. I also found that being patient and methodical, instead of rushing to a fix, made a big difference in solving problems effectively.

How will your courses and experiences at Stout help you make an impact in your career?

My coursework at Stout has given me a strong foundation in manufacturing processes, materials and engineering problem-solving. Hands-on lab work and project-based courses have been especially valuable because they connect theory to real-world applications.

My internships at Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson really built on that by showing me how those concepts are used in actual production environments.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

‘My internships built on the strong foundation Stout has given me by showing me how concepts are used in actual production environments.’ Noah Klenner, CEIP award winner

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Our B.S. Mechanical Engineering program covers mechanics, kinematics, thermal/fluid sciences, materials sciences, and more.

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Career Services’ annual First Destination Report declared that 99.5% of recent plastics engineering and mechanical engineering graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $71,500.

This past year, more than 980 students participated in co-ops and internships through Career Services at nearly 600 employers in 28 states and three international locations.

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Co-op Q&A: Ayush Patel, SMK Global, New Jersey

goersab — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Ayush Patel, SMK Global, New Jerseygoersab May 12, 2026

‘This experience confirmed that I want to build my career in food safety and quality assurance.’

Growing health consciousness and focus on preventive health care pushed the market size of the global dietary supplements industry to an estimated $210 billion in 2025.

In this rapidly expanding market, �� food science and technology major Ayush Patel applied the skills he learned in the university labs as a quality assurance specialist intern at SMK Global, a nutritional supplement manufacturer in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Patel is interested in how science directly connects to real food production, especially in food safety, quality control, and making sure products are safe and consistent for consumers.

“This experience with SMK helped me grow both professionally and personally,” said Patel, of Anand, India. “As an international student, adapting to a new work environment and contributing to a real production system gave me a lot of confidence. It confirmed that I want to build my career in food safety and quality assurance.”

Patel was one of 24 �� students who received the university ��. 2026 Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award. He will graduate in May 2027.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to contribute to improving food safety and quality systems so that consumers can trust the products they use every day. I’m especially interested in making quality processes more efficient while maintaining high safety standards.

What were your main roles at SMK Global?

My experience at SMK gave me a better understanding of how quality systems are maintained in the industry. As a quality assurance specialist, my responsibilities included:

Inspecting powder products and packaging
Testing for moisture, weight, texture and seal integrity
Verifying labeling accuracy
Reviewing ingredients and labels in compliance with FDA regulations
Supporting regulatory documentation
Supported Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance checks during internal audits
Packaging line quality control, helping identify issues with filling, sealing, and labeling
Working closely with QA, R&D, and production teams to ensure product quality and safety.

What do you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoyed most was being part of a real production environment and seeing how everything we learn in class actually applies. It was rewarding to know that even small checks, like label reviews, compliance verification, or packaging inspections, can directly impact product safety and consumer trust.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

Understanding and applying detailed FDA regulations was definitely challenging at first, especially in a fast-paced production environment. I improved by asking questions, reviewing official guidelines and learning from my team. Over time, I became more confident in making quality decisions and handling real-time production challenges.

How will your courses and experiences at Stout help you make an impact in your career?

Courses like Food Safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Food Chemistry gave me a strong foundation for understanding quality systems. Lab work and hands-on experiences helped me apply concepts like moisture analysis and product stability directly during my internship.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

‘This experience confirmed that I want to build my career in food safety and quality assurance.’ Ayush Patel at SMK Global

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B.S. Food Science & Technology

Our B.S. Food Science & Technology program prepares you to use technology to develop the future of food systems and safety.

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Career Services’ annual First Destination Report declared that 100% of recent food science and technology graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

This past year, more than 980 students participated in co-ops and internships through Career Services at nearly 600 employers in 28 states and three international locations.

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Co-op Q&A: Scott Stewart, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloit

goersab — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Scott Stewart, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloitgoersab May 12, 2026

‘Supply chains connect everything – materials, information and people all work together.’

Radioisotopes play a crucial role in health care, enabling accurate 3D imaging diagnostics to help detect and treat cancer, heart disease, thyroid issues and other diseases. With more than 50 million nuclear medicine procedures performed annually worldwide, according to the World Nuclear Association, the need for the rapid production and time-sensitive delivery of radioisotopes is high.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is a radiopharmaceutical company in Beloit that develops and distributes these lifesaving products. Recently, �� supply chain management major Scott Stewart completed a cooperative experience at NorthStar as a supply chain analyst intern.

Stewart, who has a second major in business administration, was interested in working with NorthStar Medical “because of its innovation in health care and its role in producing radiopharmaceuticals that improve patient outcomes, along with the opportunity to work in a complex, highly regulated industry,” he said.

Stewart, of Twin Lakes, was one of 24 �� students who received the university ��. 2026 Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award. He will graduate in May 2027.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

What interests me most about supply chain is how it connects everything – how materials, information, and people all work together to keep operations running efficiently and the impact those decisions have on overall performance.

I hope to improve efficiency and communication within supply chain organizations by identifying gaps and implementing better systems and processes.

What were your main roles at NorthStar Medical?

As a supply chain analyst intern, my main roles included supporting procurement and planning, creating purchase orders in Sage X3, assisting with inventory forecasting, and contributing to process improvement projects.

One major project I helped with involved mapping material process flows across the company to improve visibility and reduce confusion in operations. Another project involved researching and evaluating production scheduling software, where I recommended a new system to improve efficiency and planning. The new system is currently being implemented.

What do you enjoy most about your internship?

I enjoyed the hands-on experience and working cross-functionally with different departments and seeing how my work directly supported operations.

What was challenging about your internship, and how did you face those challenges?

A key challenge was the learning curve in a highly technical industry. I overcame this by asking questions, collaborating with teams and taking time to fully understand processes before making decisions.

How will your courses and experiences at Stout help you make an impact in your career?

Courses like Principles of Logistics and Procurement, Sourcing and Supply Chain Management have been especially helpful in building my understanding of how supply chains operate and how decisions impact efficiency.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

‘Supply chains connect everything – materials, information and people all work together.’ Scott Stewart at NorthStar

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Our B.S. Supply Chain Management integrates supply chain, operations, business, and engineering to prepare you to get the right product to the right place.

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Career Services’ annual First Destination Report declared that 100% of recent supply chain management graduates are employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $62,000.

This past year, more than 980 students participated in co-ops and internships through Career Services at nearly 600 employers in 28 states and three international locations.

Search Keywords: NorthStar MedicalRadioisotopessupply chain management degree

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Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growth

goersab — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:24:52 +0000

Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growthgoersab April 3, 2026

Vance Creek Experiential Therapy internships add to clinical training for master ��. students

Abbey Goers

There is something therapeutic to a slow, rhythmic trail ride on horseback. You begin to feel grounded in the quiet nature of the woods and in the calming company of horses. The calm can lead to new thoughts or the banishment of worries or a “letting go” of control.

This form of experiential learning can help clients build self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen communication and trust. Vance Creek Experiential Therapy (VCET), an equine therapy ranch in Clayton owned by Christine Mattila, provides clients with a safe environment to practice coping skills, gain confidence and transfer those skills into everyday life.

It also builds career-ready skills for �� M.S. clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) students as they intern at the ranch and use activity-based learning to observe behavior, support growth and guide clients through real-time learning experiences.

Counselors at Vance Creek help clients feel safe and validated through equine therapy and experiential learning. / Christine Mattila

Ava Allroggen, a fall 2025 clinical mental health counseling graduate, had the opportunity to intern with VCET last summer.

“At the end of each week, it was cool to swap out my business casual for faded jeans and muddy boots,” she said. “I learned so much from my site supervisors and coworkers, but the people who taught me the most were the clients. The site rocked my understanding of therapy for the better, and I’m a better counselor as a result.”

Mattila thinks the biggest transfer of skills from an internship at Vance Creek is the ability for students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in a real working environment. “That kind of experiential learning builds practical skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, all of which are just as important as technical knowledge once students enter the workforce,” she said.

It also helps students understand professional expectations, build confidence and learn how to contribute from day one. In this way, the internship experience prepares them not just for their first jobs but also for long-term success in their careers, Mattila added.

With the emphasis being on the relationship counselors develop with their clients, “Our goal is often to help clients feel safe and validated while also recognizing their engagements with themselves and the world around them,” said CMHC Associate Professor Andy Felton, who serves as Mattila ��. clinical supervisor. “The art of our work comes from the experiences we create with clients that offer new forms of engagement and interactions to help them create inter- and intra-personal shifts, becoming empowered to not just survive but thrive.”

Vance Creek internships add to clinical training

Felton and Mattila met about eight years ago when Mattila was looking to develop her clinical practice and expertise. “Then, as I developed the Expressive Arts in Counseling course, Christine was kind enough to allow students to do a field trip to learn more about equine therapy and experience some of what it may be like as a client,” Felton said.

Once Mattila became fully licensed and was in a position to take interns beginning in spring 2023, VCET and the CMHC program began a partnership for students wanting to add to their clinical training, moving beyond talk therapy.

Allroggen was one of three �� interns at VCET. Their role was to be the primary clinician in the room or on the trail with the client. “As a counseling intern, my responsibility was to facilitate the therapeutic part of the experience. I initiated check-ins, helped develop session plans and helped clients apply their experiences to their therapeutic goals,” she said.

CMHC graduate student Ava Allroggen with therapy horses at VCET. / Ava Allroggen

She was supported by Mattila and staff members, who served as the equine specialists (ES). They ensure the safety of both the client and the horse during sessions. “The ES provides direction for proper horse care and safe riding skills. While working with Christine, we often helped each other in our roles. I would help clients manage their horse, while Christine would give therapeutic direction,” Allroggen said.

“The healing process in equine therapy is usually very gradual and relationship-based. It starts with building trust and creating a sense of safety, because many clients need to feel calm and supported before they can begin deeper emotional work,” Mattila said. “From there, the horse often helps mirror emotions and behaviors, providing clients with real-time feedback and helping them become more aware of what they are feeling. Over time, that process can help clients regulate emotions, build confidence and carry those skills into their everyday lives.”

Much of equine work is viewed as the horse being the primary counselor. The horse can be used as the resource the client needs to better understand themselves, their experiences and to take steps towards eliciting change. So much of the therapeutic work comes from the relationship the client develops with the horse, Felton said.

“As clients interact with the horse, they can become empowered to face challenges, realize their potential and move toward becoming the person they want to be,” he said. “For example, as a client becomes more confident in their abilities to interact with the horse, this can translate to the confidence a person feels about themselves and the obstacles in their life.”

Inspiring Graduate: Ava Allroggen, M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Establishing roots in the community as a prelicensed counselor

The CMHC program is regularly looking for new partnerships in the community to help students apply their learning. Student placements are based on interests and opportunity for practice. Specific sites have included Menomonie School District, Bloomer School District, Cedar Hill Therapy, Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, Dunn County Human Services, Fernbrook Family Center, Kinnic Falls Inc., Lutheran Social Services, Park Avenue Center, Tomah VA Medical Center and various college counseling centers.

Those interested in pursuing partnerships with CMHC internships may contact Felton at feltonan@uwstout.edu.

�� . counseling, rehabilitation and human services department offers five master ��. programs, including marriage and family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling and school psychology, as well as three undergraduate programs, minors and certificates.

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Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growth

Vance Creek Experiential Therapy internships add to clinical training for master ��. students

Inspiring Graduate: Ava Allroggen, M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Establishing roots in the community as a prelicensed counselor

Alumni recognize communication, connections, genuineness as necessary to be trusted leaders

‘Be a difference maker’: 510 graduates at Dec. 14 commencement ceremony look to impact the future

Vance Creek Experiential Therapy internships add to clinical training for master ��. students Vance Creek Experiential Therapy

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M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Our M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will prepare you to provide competent and ethical services as a mental health counselor.

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Hero Caption: M.S. clinical mental health counseling student interns use activity-based learning at Vance Creek Experiential Therapy. Photo submitted by Christine Mattila.

Andy Felton

Andy, a Wisconsin native out of Madison, WI, joined �� in 2016. Prior to returning to Wisconsin, Andy lived in Laramie, WY where he obtained his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. While obtaining his degree he was in private practice offering play therapy to children as well as counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Andy also helped facilitate intensive outpatient groups for individuals struggling with substance use. Andy also worked part time working at the university counseling center offering process groups and individual counseling. Before pursuing his PhD, Andy lived in Harrisonburg, VA where he obtained his master's and Ed.S. degrees in Community Counseling and then offered intensive in-home services for individuals and families. Andy continues to provide clinical supervision and clinical services to the community to further help inform his teaching. Though Andy loves teaching, he also has interests that revolve around his family, traveling, photography, and playing board games.

Teaching Interests: Children & Adolescents, Counseling Theory, Play Therapy, Creativity in Counseling, Group Counseling

Research Interests: Creative and expressive methods, Clinical Supervision, Teaching pedagogy

Full Name: Andy Felton

Job Title: Associate Professor / Department Chair / Certificate Advisor

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Area of Expertise: Play Therapy Filial Therapy Interpersonal Process

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department

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All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Andy Felton CV (50.24 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision

University: University of Wyoming

Degree: Ed.S. Community Counseling

University: James Madison University

Degree: B.A. Psychology

University: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Degree: Licensed Professional Counselor

University: State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Degree: Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Degree: Acudetox Specialist

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Blue Devil grads get blue-chip jobs with Fortune 500 firms

giffeyt — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:42:25 +0000

Blue Devil grads get blue-chip jobs with Fortune 500 firmsgiffeyt March 9, 2026

Survey finds rising pay, 99% employment rate for recent �� alums

Tom Giffey

Amazon. Cigna. CVS Health. General Motors. Citigroup. What do all these blue-chip companies have in common? In addition to being among the 25 largest American corporations on the latest Fortune 500 list, they’ve also hired recent University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates over the past year.

According to a new report, Blue Devils who graduated between fall 2024 and summer 2025 went to work for 54 firms on the Fortune 500, including 13 of the Top 25 companies on the prestigious list. Among the Fortune 500 employers who have hired �� graduates in the past year alone are 3M, Boeing, Boston Scientific, FedEx, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Nike, Oshkosh Corp., Rockwell Automation, Target, Tesla, Walt Disney and Xcel Energy.

Over the past five years, �� grads have been hired by more than 125 companies in the Fortune 500 — and counting. And wherever they are working for household names or small startups, fully 99% of recent graduates were either employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation, �� . annual First Destination Report found.

This success is built on strategic and intentional engagement with students throughout their time at �� to prepare them for future careers, said Career Services Director Bryan Barts. Initiatives include the fall and spring Career Conferences, among the largest in the Midwest; the Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program, which was honored by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents; and the new Blaze Forward In Your Job Search effort, a four-week career-readiness program tailored to address specific academic areas and key elements of the job and internship search.

“By providing a space to address barriers students may be facing, provide strategies to outreach to companies, and implement best practices in searching and connecting with companies, we have supported our mission to engage, educate, and empower students to see their potential,” Barts said.

A �� student meets with an employer representative during the "Computing: Data, Software & Security" career fair on Feb. 23, 2026.

Starting salaries on the rise

According to the First Destination Report survey, recipients of undergraduate degrees from �� in 2024-25 reported an annual starting salary of $59,000, a 4% increase from the prior year. The average starting salary for graduate degree recipients was $62,000.

The average starting salary for undergraduate degree holders from �� has been the highest among universities in western Wisconsin for the past six years for which figures are available, representing the ongoing return on investment in an education at Wisconsin ��. ��.

The new report found average starting salaries were higher than average in multiple undergraduate career clusters, including:

Science, engineering and math, $69,000;
Information technology and communication, $61,000;
Business and management, $63,000.

Numerous �� degree programs offered even higher starting salaries. For example, graduates with a B.S. applied math & computer science had an average starting salary of $80,000, while those with B.S. computer & electrical engineering and B.S. plastics engineering degrees both averaged $77,000. And the first cohort of graduates from the B.S. cybersecurity program started their careers making an average of $74,000.

Graduates of the B.S. management & leadership program had starting salaries that averaged $83,000, while B.S. construction management grads earned an average of $70,000. In education, the B.S. career, technical education & training program led the way with starting salaries averaging $74,000.

Students and employers meeting during ��'s "Construction: Design, Build, Manage" career fair on Feb. Feb. 25, 2026.

Alumni incomes among highest in state

Such salaries, of course, are just the beginning for �� graduates embarking on new careers. Blue Devil alumni can expect higher lifetime earnings than many of their peers. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education, the median �� graduate makes $63,997 annually four years after graduation, the third-highest figure among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin schools.

�� also offers some of the highest-paying degree programs in the state, the federal data shows. Four years after graduation, Blue Devils employed in computer networking have a median income of $106,116, placing the program among the Top 10 highest-paid statewide offered by public and private universities. Other Top 25 programs include applied mathematics, whose graduates earn $100,475 four years into their careers, and construction management, whose alums have median salaries of $99,787.

Other data, collected on behalf of �� through the 2024 National Alumni Career Mobility (NACM) survey, paints a similar picture. Blue Devil graduates from the classes of 2019 and 2014 were asked about their careers. For undergraduate alumni five years after graduation, the median income was approximately $63,300 in 2024. That same year, the median income for undergraduate alumni who were 10 years into their careers was about $84,000.

Nationally, the median bachelor ��. degree holder between the ages of 22 and 27 makes $20,000 more annually than the median worker with only a high school diploma, according to research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The gap is even wider for �� degree holders: Four years after graduation, their median salary is more than $26,000 per year higher than those who didn’t continue beyond high school, the U.S. Department of Education data shows.

�� . average starting salary has been the highest among universities in western Wisconsin for the past six years, and represents the ongoing return on investment in an education at Wisconsin ��. ��. �� . value has been recognized by the likes of Money Magazine, which for the second year in a row has included �� on its Best Colleges list focused on affordability and student outcomes. Numerous �� programs — from cybersecurity to game design to packaging to hotel, restaurant and tourism management – are among the top-ranked in the nation and even world.

��'s Career Conference Week, which is held twice a year, is one of the largest events of its kind in the Midwest.

Most find jobs before graduation

For the fourth year in a row, the First Destination Report found that 99% of recent graduates were either employed, furthering their education, or serving in the military or a service program within six months of commencement. That rate hasn’t dipped below 97% for at least 16 years, and it has never been below 90% over the more than half a century the survey has been conducted.

In the new report, the employment figure rose to 100% for graduate degree recipients as well as for military veterans in all degree programs.

Most graduates didn’t have to wait long for employment: In fact, nearly two-thirds of those who obtained �� undergraduate degrees accepted job offers a month or more before graduation, while another 15% were hired within a month of graduation, the survey found.

Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesota

Computer science senior hired as a hardware developer before graduation

Graduates also believe �� readied them for post-college careers: The survey showed that 88% of 2024-25 graduates said they agreed or strongly agreed that their experience at �� prepared them for the next step in their career path.

Providing career-focused experiences is one of the key tenets to the polytechnic approach at ��, which is designated as Wisconsin ��. ��. All �� graduates receive applied learning experience before they receive their diplomas. Every year, the Cooperative Education & Internship Program oversees nearly 1,000 co-op and internship experiences. These internships and co-ops lead to professional positions for 35% of students.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

Survey finds rising pay, 99% employment rate for recent �� alums computing_data_software_security_career_conference_at_uw-stout_2026.jpg

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Read annual employment reports of our graduates' success.

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Hero Caption: �� senior Amber Kuhn won't graduate until May, but she's already accepted a full-time job at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota.

Bryan Barts

12 yrs experience in Career Services offices within higher education, spanning private, public, small and large universities. Diverse background in career counseling, employer relations and development and strategic planning.

Teaching Interests: Job search skills and technology, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interviewing

Research Interests: Resiliency in First Generation College Students

Professional Interests: Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment within Career Services

Roles/Responsibilities:
Manage office staffing, budget and programming for centralized career office serving 9400+ students. Implement growth opportunities for Co-op program, enrolling 1000+ per year Provide vision and direction to office planning, employer development, recruiting events and technology Produce the largest Career Conference recruiting event, bringing nearly 400 employer to campus each semester Introduce "Best Practice" approach to serving students, employers and faculty/staff, achieving 97.1% employment or continuing education of university graduates Partner with Faculty Program Directors to increase engagement of students Create partnerships with University Foundation and Alumni offices

Full Name: Mr. Bryan Barts

Job Title: Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Department: Career Services

Education:

Degree: M.S. Mental Health Counseling

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: B.A. Psychology

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Degree: Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW)

University: Resume Writing Academy

Degree: Career Coaching Intensive (CCI)

University: NACE

Degree: MBTI Certified Practitioner

University: CPP, Inc.

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Industry panels on 3D design, authenticity enhance Career Conference events

goersab — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Industry panels on 3D design, authenticity enhance Career Conference eventsgoersab February 18, 2026

Workshops for students build on their career readiness competencies

To help students meet future employer and workforce needs, �� . 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

Seven organizations share perspectives on meeting evolving industries, workforce needs

Prior 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 �� 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 ��. 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 ��

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

�� graduates are in demand, with 99% employed or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation. �� 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 ��. most recent First Destination Report.

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Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

‘Having confidence in yourself, in your team, in your work, matters.’

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

‘My internship gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my work and see how my ideas could make a real impact.’

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

Workshops for students build on their career readiness competencies Career Conference

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Career Conference Week

One of the largest conferences in the Midwest, preparing Blue Devils to be career ready on day one.

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Students, alumni connect with hundreds of national recruiters at Career Conference Week, Feb. 23-26

goersab — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Students, alumni connect with hundreds of national recruiters at Career Conference Week, Feb. 23-26goersab February 18, 2026

Seven organizations share perspectives on meeting evolving industries, workforce needs

Abbey Goers

��, Wisconsin ��. ��, recognizes the importance of adapting degrees to evolving industries and workforce needs, with the university ��. 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, Menard, 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 �� . 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.

Industry panels on 3D design, authenticity enhance Career Conference events

Workshops for students build on their career readiness competencies

“As industries evolve, whether AI, materials, process or culture driven, �� 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: a 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 ��. an exciting time to build a career in mobility, as we work together to ‘Advance the World, One Journey at a Time.’”

�� 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.

�� 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. �� 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 ��. 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 �� and continue the importance of early talent within our industry.”

�� 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 more than 10 locations in the Midwest, HBS provides complete, local, end-to-end technology solutions to commercial, public sector and small- to medium-sized businesses. �� majors in computer science, cybersecurity or IT-related programs, as well as business administration, management and leadership majors, may connect with HBS and other computing-sector employers on the Monday of Career Conference Week.

Menard, Inc.

Menard, 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 ��. business careers blend technology, creativity and problem-solving," said General Office Operations Manager Chance Morse. "Students who build strong foundations while staying open to learning new tools and trends will be well-positioned for long-term success."

�� majors in business administration, management and leadership, hospitality, supply chain management, computer science or IT-related programs may connect with Menard, Inc. 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 ��. a growing emphasis on flexibility, lifelong learning, and designing roles that can evolve with changing business needs.”

�� 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 �� . 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.

Career Services

All Career Services News

University Marketing

Career Conference Week

One of the largest conferences in the Midwest, preparing Blue Devils to be career ready on day one.

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News

Co-op Q&A: Katelynn Peterson, Michels Construction Inc., Lomira, Wisconsin

B.S. Supply Chain Management

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Co-op Q&A: Owen Whitney, Great Northern Corporation, Chippewa Falls

2025 University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation

B.S. Business Administration

B.S. Supply Chain Management

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �������� Polytechnic accolades

Blue Devil grads get blue-chip jobs with Fortune 500 firms

Money Magazine names Stout one of America ��������. 2025 Best Colleges, second year in a row

Co-op Q&A: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson

B.S. Plastics Engineering

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Co-op Q&A: Ayush Patel, SMK Global, New Jersey

B.S. Food Science & Technology

Co-op Q&A: Scott Stewart, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes in Beloit

B.S. Supply Chain Management

Equine therapy gives clinical mental health students skills to support clients’ growth

Vance Creek internships add to clinical training

Inspiring Graduate: Ava Allroggen, M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Blue Devil grads get blue-chip jobs with Fortune 500 firms

Starting salaries on the rise

Alumni incomes among highest in state

Most find jobs before graduation

Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesota

Career Outcomes

Industry panels on 3D design, authenticity enhance Career Conference events

Students, alumni connect with hundreds of national recruiters at Career Conference Week, Feb. 23-26

3D Design in Action

Authenticity & Professionalism Workshop

Infusion of Career Readiness Competencies is the ‘why’ to majors at ��������

Career Conference Week

Students, alumni connect with hundreds of national recruiters at Career Conference Week, Feb. 23-26

Industry panels on 3D design, authenticity enhance Career Conference events

Enterprise Mobility

EVCO Plastics

Fastenal

Greenheck Group

Heartland Business Systems

Menard, Inc.

Phillips Medisize

Career Conference Week events are:

Career Conference Week

Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to �� Polytechnic accolades

Money Magazine names Stout one of America ��. 2025 Best Colleges, second year in a row

Infusion of Career Readiness Competencies is the ‘why’ to majors at ��