UNI prepares students for a lifetime of success

“When I stepped onto UNI's campus for the first time, I had no idea what I wanted to do let alone what I wanted to major in,” said senior Claire Collins. “I just knew this [UNI] was the place to prepare me for my future.”

UNI is focused on student success. UNI's Offices of Academic Advising and Career Services work hand-in-hand to provide students with information and opportunities to explore and achieve their academic, career and personal life goals.

“The personalized meetings I had with my academic advisers helped me choose my major, but during my internships I was amazed with what jobs and majors people had,” said Collins. “I discovered people who had the jobs I wanted had no single degree, in fact many weren't even in public relations majors. It really is about what you know and the skills you have.”

UNI Career Services knows this to be true. The majority of employers who post positions at UNI or attend Career Services career fairs recruit for ALL majors.

“The level of engagement and acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities that a student possesses is a greater indicator of success post-graduation than the major they chose as most people do not nor historically ever have 'worked in their major,'” said Bob Frederick, director of Career Services at UNI.

The skills employers are looking for include: critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, communication, time management, teamwork/collaboration, digital technology, professionalism, work ethic and intercultural fluency, which are not specific to any one major. These skills can be developed and enhanced in every major.

UNI continues to work with Iowa's employers and communities to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and experiences they need.