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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: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

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.’ Noah Klenner, CEIP award winner

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B.S. Plastics Engineering

Our B.S. Plastics Engineering program will prepare you for a career leading innovation in medical, automotive, and other industries.

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B.S. Mechanical Engineering

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: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

‘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

Earn a degree that 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.

Career Services

All Career Services News

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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B.S. Supply Chain Management

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.

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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

April 3, 2026

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

Establishing roots in the community as a prelicensed counselor

December 23, 2025

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

December 17, 2024

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

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��'s 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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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.

Career Services

All Career Services News

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

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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Workshops for students build on their career readiness competencies Career Conference

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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.

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Seven organizations share perspectives on meeting evolving industries, workforce needs Career Conference

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

goersab — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0000

Co-op Q&A: Amber Kuhn, IBM, Rochester, Minnesotagoersab February 4, 2026

Computer science senior hired as a hardware developer before graduation

IBM, the largest industrial research organization in the world, has been at the forefront of innovative technology and systems for more than a century. Advancing from its earliest electric accounting machines to partnerships in space travel and cloud computing, IBM is a leader in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

At IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, �� computer science senior Amber Kuhn is completing her cooperative learning experience as a hardware development intern.

Kuhn, of Andover, Minnesota, was one of 24 �� students who received the university ��. 2026 Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award.

She graduates in May 2026 and has accepted a full-time hardware development position at IBM, where she plans to continue growing her skills in industry while gaining deeper experience in large-scale systems and engineering practices, she said.

“This internship has reinforced my interest in the field of computer science and confirmed that I am on the right career path. I am grateful for the support from both �� and IBM, and I am excited to continue learning and contributing as I move into a full-time role.”

What interests you most about computer science?

What interests me most about computer science is the combination of problem-solving, logic and creativity. I enjoy building systems that have real-world applications, especially when software interfaces directly with hardware. I find it especially rewarding to take abstract concepts and turn them into functional, reliable solutions.

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

I hope to make an impact by contributing to well-designed, reliable systems and by building tools that improve efficiency and reduce errors for both engineers and users.

Long-term, I want to be involved in work that bridges software and hardware and that has tangible, real-world impact. Enterprise computing systems are a strong example of software and hardware with significant real-world impact.

Large-scale server hardware, combined with low-level software, firmware, and automation tools, supports industries such as health care, finance, government, cloud services and research. These systems are critical because they must be highly reliable, secure, and scalable to support essential services and large volumes of data.

Through my internship experience, I’ve seen how internal software tools and automation can make a meaningful difference by streamlining workflows, reducing configuration errors, and improving system reliability. While these tools may not be customer-facing, they have a broad impact by supporting the engineers and technicians who build and maintain complex systems.

I hope to contribute to fields that rely on dependable infrastructure and high-performance systems, particularly enterprise computing and hardware-software integration. I am especially interested in building tools and systems that support technical teams and help ensure that critical technologies people rely on every day function reliably and efficiently.

What are your main roles as an intern with IBM?

My main roles include supporting hardware development and testing, assisting with automation and tooling, working with cross-functional teams, and contributing to projects that improve reliability, usability and efficiency of engineering workflows.

One project I worked on involved developing and improving internal tools to automate test setup and configuration, making bench setups more consistent and reducing manual errors. I also assisted with hardware-related testing and documentation efforts that helped streamline workflows for engineers and technicians.

These projects were primarily designed to support enterprise computing and infrastructure development. While the tools and testing work I contributed to were internal-facing, they directly support hardware platforms that are used across many industries, including health care, finance, cloud computing, government and research.

My team ��. work fits into a much larger system at IBM, where every part of the supply chain, from hardware design and manufacturing to testing, integration, and deployment, plays a critical role in delivering reliable systems. Each team contributes a piece that ensures these platforms can meet the needs of a wide range of industries and use cases.

By improving test automation, configuration consistency, and documentation, the work helps ensure that hardware systems are reliable, scalable, and ready for deployment in environments where downtime or errors can have serious consequences. In that sense, the impact extends beyond a single field and supports industries that rely on high-performance, dependable computing systems to operate critical applications.

The projects also supported engineering and technical teams directly, helping them work more efficiently and accurately, which ultimately improves the quality of the systems delivered to customers across these industries.

What do you enjoy most about your internship?

What I enjoy most is working on meaningful, real-world problems alongside experienced engineers. I appreciate being trusted with responsibility and having the opportunity to learn how large-scale systems are designed, tested and maintained in an industry environment.

What is challenging about your internship, and how do you face those challenges?

The most challenging aspect is the complexity of the systems and the steep learning curve that comes with enterprise-level hardware and software integration.

I face these challenges by asking questions, seeking feedback, reviewing documentation and breaking problems down into manageable pieces. I’ve learned to be persistent and proactive when troubleshooting.

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

�� . hands-on, applied learning approach has been especially valuable. Courses in software development, databases, and web programming, along with project-based assignments, have prepared me to work on real systems.

Projects where I designed full applications from backend to frontend stand out the most, as they closely mirror the work I’ve done during my internship.

A strong example of this preparation is my capstone project, Rock the Wall, which I completed the semester before starting my internship. Rock the Wall is a full-stack, web-based route management system designed for the Stout Adventures Rock Climbing Wall. The application was created to replace a manual Excel-based process used to track climbing routes and employee hours, which was time-consuming, error-prone and difficult to manage collaboratively.

The application serves multiple end users. Climbers can view currently set routes, track their progress, see leaderboards and climbing rankings, and leave feedback on routes. Employees can add, edit, or retire routes and log their setting hours, while managers have additional administrative tools to manage user roles and oversee wall activity. The system was built using JavaScript and PrimeVue for the frontend, Firebase for authentication, PostgreSQL for the database and GitHub for version control.

Designing Rock the Wall required me to think critically about user roles, data modeling, authentication, and usability, skills that directly transferred to my internship work. Building a complete application from backend to frontend gave me confidence working on production-level systems and reinforced the importance of clean architecture, collaboration and user-centered design. This experience has been foundational in helping me contribute meaningfully in a professional software development setting.

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Finding On-Campus Jobs and More on Handshake

goersab — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:50:00 +0000

Finding On-Campus Jobs and More on Handshakegoersab January 13, 2026

Helping your student connect their education to their future career

As students are relaxing and catching up on sleep over break, offices on campus are posting new jobs on Handshake, an online portal where students can find on-campus and full-time professional positions, as well as internships and co-ops.

During the school year, our team at Career Services knows your student is using their time to work on projects, do homework and study. If they’re looking for some extra financial support or want to get involved in a specific area on campus for professional experience, we encourage them to consider an on-campus job.

Our on-campus jobs know that your student is a student first, so they’re more than willing to offer flexibility with class and extracurricular schedules. By working on campus, your student can:

Make new friends
Walk or bike to work
Work or conduct research with faculty
Use work-study dollars from a financial aid package

They can work in so many departments, from Dining and Housing to the University Library, give tours with the Admissions office, help their peers at the IT HelpDesk or Student Business Services and more. Your student may also find on-campus jobs in these departments in CONNECT, our campus involvement app.

View ��'s First Destination Report for recent graduates' career outcomes.

Take an on-campus job to the next level by looking for roles that are part of the Grow, Persist, Succeed Program, which connects the position to career development. Through intentional skill-building, students will identify and reflect on the career competencies employers are looking for and explore career paths.

Internships, Co-ops and Professional Positions

Handshake isn’t just a place to search for on-campus jobs, though. It ��. also used by companies to post internships and full-time job openings. More than 200,000 employers, including Fortune 500 companies, use Handshake to post jobs and network with students and alumni.

Handshake offers a single login portal for your student and employers, as well as personalized job recommendations based on your student ��. major, interests and more! It's also where students can view employers who will be recruiting at our Spring and Fall Career Conferences, attended by more than 300 regional and national employers.

If your student is close to graduating or needing a co-op/internship, make sure they check Handshake for opportunities. �� alumni also have access to the platform.

Your student can optimize their Handshake profile by meeting with a career coach. They can schedule a virtual or in-person appointment on Handshake, by emailing careerservices@uwstout.edu, or calling 715-232-1601.

Other Job Search Tools

Career Services offers many tools to help your student be successful in finding and gaining experience in their field.

Big Interview offers mock interviews, customized feedback, a resume builder and training videos.
GoinGlobal is a comprehensive career and employment resource for domestic and international internship and job opportunities.
USA Careers is a job-search site for large metropolitan areas in the U.S. It offers webinars, training, and culture guides for cities in the U.S. and abroad.
What Can I Do With This Major? can help your student explore 100+ majors, common career paths related to that major and find employers hiring in a specific field.
LinkedIn Learning has more than 5,000 courses with customized recommendations. Your student can add certifications and skills to their LinkedIn profile.

Links to each of these resources are available to your student in the Handshake platform or via our Tech Toolkit.

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UW Regents honor �� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skills

giffeyt — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 03:00:00 +0000

UW Regents honor �� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skillsgiffeyt October 30, 2025

Grow, Persist, Succeed offers career counseling, boosts student retention

Tom Giffey

An innovative career-development program continues to gather accolades as it helps guide University of Wisconsin-Stout students on a route to post-college success.

The Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program, part of Career Services, is about more than connecting students to on-campus jobs: It makes these work experiences more meaningful by fostering one-on-one career coaching and feedback from supervisors about students’ evolving career skills.

The program was honored earlier this semester with the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award, which is given by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents to a noninstructional academic staff program that provides exceptional service.

“This exemplary program embodies the mission of �� by preparing our students for impactful careers through professional experiences that focus on applied learning and collaborative partnerships,” Provost Glendalí Rodríguez said in a letter nominating the program for the award. “The GPS program provides a holistic and student-centered initiative by pairing students with faculty and staff and meaningfully integrating job experiences with career development.”

Now in its fourth year, GPS is designed for first- and second-year students and new transfer students, particularly those from underserved populations such as first-generation college students. GPS aligns with �� . polytechnic tenets of applied learning and career focus. In its first three years, the program supported nearly 100 students across 23 university offices, departments and programs, ranging from Admissions and Athletics to the Discovery Center Fab Lab and the chemistry and physics department.

Graduates ‘Do More on Day One’ with jobs at dozens of Fortune 500 firms

University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates are living up to the institution ��. “Do More on Day One” slogan. In fact, many of them are doing more even before ...

Career Services Director Bryan Barts

In addition to developing career skills, the program fosters student retention, said Career Services Director Bryan Barts. “Research has shown us that students who have a job on campus have a higher likelihood of completing their degree,” Barts said.

Built into the GPS program are eight “career competencies” identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which include communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism and more. These competencies are seen as national benchmarks for how well students will perform in real-world work environments. GPS participants assess themselves on these skills at the beginning and end of the academic year, and results from 2024-25 showed that students had a 10% increase in their overall confidence about their career skills.

During their participation in the program, students pick a few of the eight competencies to focus on, and along the way receive targeted feedback about these skills from their supervisors. “That ��. a really impactful and intentional step to improving the students’ experience, and we’re seeing that the supervisors appreciate the guidance and support that it gives,” Barts said.

GPS helps students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed later in their academic careers and in the workplace. “Students appreciate knowing what employers are going to be looking for when they are searching for internship and co-op experiences,” said Sara Anger, career development manager with Career Services.

The Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program recently received the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award.

The Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award isn’t the first honor GPS has received: During its inaugural year, the program was given an Innovation Award by the Wisconsin Association of Colleges and Employers, WI-ACE, for providing unique and creative approaches to student programming, university/employer relations, recruiting and training. �� officials have also made presentations about the GPS Program at state and regional professional conferences.

�� junior Ian Bryant worked in the university ��. Admissions and Advisement offices as part of the GPS Program, which he said has helped him both develop talents and plan his career pathway. “They really tailor it to your skills, what your mindset is, and what your plans are,” he said of GPS. “And that really sets students up for success.”

While students can learn basic skills such as time-management at many other jobs, Bryant said, “The GPS Program adds another layer to it. It really emphasizes professional and personal growth.”

Career development jobs program for students honored with statewide Innovation Award

With applied and experiential learning and a career focus, students who attend �� know they will graduate ready to enter the work world.

Bryant, a B.S. hotel, restaurant & tourism management major from Rochester, Minnesota, said he isn’t surprised that the GPS Program has won awards.

“This is a perfect example of why Stout has the employment rate it does,” he said, alluding to the fact that 99% of Blue Devils are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. “Not only are we setting students up for that hands-on experience in industry, but we’re developing those professional skills, and I think that ��. crucial.”

Barts said he expects programs such as GPS to have a long-term impact on �� graduates. He pointed to the results of the 2024 National Alumni Career Mobility Survey, which found that participating �� alumni from the classes of 2014 and 2019 rated the university higher than peer institutions on five out of six factors, including career pathway preparation, institutional career investment, career mobility, career satisfaction and community engagement.

“As an early career readiness program, GPS is a shining example of how �� prepares students quickly for success in future internships and post-graduation careers,” Barts said.

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

May 12, 2026

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

May 12, 2026

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

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

May 12, 2026

Grow, Persist, Succeed offers career counseling, boosts student retention GPS Regents award plaque

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Career-focused support for �� students and alumni.

Grow, Persist, Succeed Program

Intentional career development through paid on-campus jobs and career coaching.

Search Keywords: Career ServicesGrow, Persist, SucceedGPS ProgramBoard of RegentsRegents Academic Staff Excellence Award

Hero Caption: �� student Ian Bryant leads a campus tour as part of his Admissions Office job, which was part of the Grow, Persist, Succeed (GPS) Program.

Bryan Barts

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

Full Name: Mr. Bryan Barts

Job Title: Director

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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.

Career Services

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Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

News

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

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

B.S. Computer Science

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Finding On-Campus Jobs and More on Handshake

Internships, Co-ops and Professional Positions

Other Job Search Tools

Career Services

UW Regents honor �������� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skills

Graduates ‘Do More on Day One’ with jobs at dozens of Fortune 500 firms

Career development jobs program for students honored with statewide Innovation Award

Career Services

Grow, Persist, Succeed Program

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

UW Regents honor �� on-campus job program that develops undergrads’ career skills