Chippewa Valley Times

University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates are exemplifying the institution's "Do More on Day One" promise in their careers. Many students secure employment even before their graduation, especially with Fortune 500 companies.

A recent report indicates that over 80% of those who earned degrees from UW-Stout between fall 2023 and summer 2024 secured jobs prior to or soon after graduation. Additionally, the report reveals that 99% of recent graduates were either employed or pursuing further education within six months, as stated in the annual First Destination Report.

Graduates are finding opportunities with well-known Fortune 500 companies. Over the past five years, 125 such companies, including 12 of the top 20, have hired UW-Stout alumni. In the last year, graduates secured positions at 45 different Fortune 500 companies, such as Abbott Laboratories and Xcel Energy. Other notable employers include Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.

Career Services Director Bryan Barts emphasized the role of UW-Stout's educational approach. He stated that graduates "can easily take their applied learning educational experiences from lab spaces into professional positions or into furthering their education." Barts highlighted the demand for UW-Stout graduates, noting they bring "career-ready skills" to various fields and leverage them effectively.

The university's Career Services offers events to connect students with employers, such as Career Conferences, Art & Design Week, and the Job Shadow Program. These initiatives help maintain the high employment rates of graduates, with 99% of them either securing employment, furthering their education, or joining the military or a service program for the third consecutive year.

The report details that starting salaries for graduate degree holders average $74,000, while undergraduate degree holders average $57,000. Some fields like science and engineering offer higher starting salaries. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a bachelor's degree holder typically earns significantly more yearly compared to someone with just a high school diploma.

UW-Stout's average starting salary surpasses other universities in western Wisconsin, reflecting the value of education at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. Recognitions from Money Magazine and Research.com further underscore UW-Stout's affordability and student success.

The First Destination Report highlights the success of UW-Stout's approach to education. Barts affirmed, "it also continues to showcase the impact of our applied-learning and hands-on approach to education."

Among the successful graduates is Nicholas Langenfeld, who secured a role as an information security analyst at Waupaca Foundry. He attributed his preparedness to UW-Stout's practical experiences. Similarly, Emma Flemke and Conrad Klem secured positions in their respective fields, crediting their education for their success.

UW-Stout graduates are not only thriving locally but have found positions across 39 states and 11 countries, further demonstrating the reach and effectiveness of their education.