Alumni and Employer Career Advice

UNL alumni and employers have provided academic and experiential recommendations to increase student success. Advice is categorized into the 8 interest areas used in "The Power of Possibilities".

If you would like to contribute to this site as an alumnus of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln or as an employer, select alumni or employer and you will be taken to the survey form. Thank you for your interest and for your continued support of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Career Services.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Alumni are saying...

• Art Major-(Working as a Graphic/Textile Designer)- The coursework that benefited me the most was literacy, creative and performing arts, and journalism and mass communications courses. I wish I had taken more courses in architecture, interiors, and 3-D structure.
• Music Performance Major-(Working as an Assistant Professor in Bassoon)-The courses that I felt were important are music history, baroque performance, and late 19th century performance. I wish I had taken a course in Music Theory. My advice is to gain teaching experience and have your work published.
• Architecture Major-(Working as an Architect and Owner)-Computer drafting was one course I would recommend. More importantly, though, it is essential to gain an understanding of every building into which you walk.
• Architecture, Community and Regional Planning Major-(Working as a Recycling Coordinator)-Graphic arts classes were very helpful. I should have taken a course in management. Gain internships anywhere in the public sector.

BUSINESS WORLD

Alumni are saying...

• Business Administration Major-(Working in Marketing/Sales)-I recommend courses in human resource management, organizational behavior, marketing, and accounting. I should have taken courses in history because that is important for ANY career in my opinion. My advice is simple: Network
• Finance Major-(Working as a Senior Financial Analyst)- I found my coursework in accounting, finance, and business writing to be important. I should have taken a course in managerial accounting, auditing, and MIS.
• Marketing and Management Major-(Working as a Marketing Associate)-I found the courses in business policies, employment law, business law, and marketing to be beneficial. I should have taken more courses in accounting and finance. Any professional business environment would be suitable for an internship.

Employers are saying...

• Banking-Finance or accounting is recommended (12 hours of accounting classes)
• Financial Services-Take your business courses and have good people skills. We want employees that are self-starters, ethical, competitive, and trustworthy.
• Sales/Business Development-Business Administration, finance, and economics are important classes. An ideal candidate would possess the skills of strong communication and leadership. Travel (up to 50%) may also be required depending on the job.

COMMUNICATIONS

Alumni are saying...

• Advertising Major-(Working as a Media Director)-I recommend coursework in research and writing as well as marketing and business courses.
• Communication Studies Major-(Working as a Radio Producer)- Research and writing courses were important for me. I should have taken more communications courses. I recommend being a board operator at a radio station for an internship.
• English Major-(Working as an Attorney)-I decided to attend law school. I recommend courses in analytical skills.
• Journalism Major-(Working as a Freelance Writer and Courtroom Clerk)-All Journalism classes were awesome! I also should have taken more coursework in Journalism, Psychology, and Sociology. I took an internship with a major Nebraska newspaper. Remember, you need to be 'thick-skinned' for this job and be able to take criticism.

Employers are saying...

• Fundraising (Development)-We look for Business, Marketing, and Communications majors. Take sales and public speaking courses as well. Internships at area non-profit organizations and experience with on-campus philanthropic events is a plus. You also need to have patience with the volunteers and an ability to walk into a situation and ask for a company's participation in a fundraiser.
• Human Resources -Have good people skills, good organization, and be detail-oriented. An HR internship would be key to your success.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL

Alumni are saying...

• Medicine Major-(Working as a General Surgeon)- Courses in Pre-Med, Chemistry, and Physics were all important. I should have taken a course in malpractice issues and how to avoid them. Get an internship in hospital work of any kind.
• Nursing Major-(Working as a Nurse Practitioner)-I should have taken a course in Psychology. Get that hands-on nursing experience.
• Biological Sciences Major-(Worked as a Registered Nurse, now retired)-My courses in biology, organic chemistry, exercise physiology, and physics were important. I believe I should have taken a course in Spanish.

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

Alumni are saying...

• Secondary Education Major-(Working as an Adult Education Teacher) - I recommend taking a wide variety of courses but don't forget an accounting or business management course. I should have taken one. Get an internship as soon as you can.
• Secondary Education/ Social Studies Major-(Working as an Academic Advisor)-I recommend coursework in Sociology, interpersonal skills, and ALEC 102.
• Secondary Education/Business Administration-(Working as an Assistant Director in Area Vocational Programming)-Take business management, finance, accounting, speech, and ethics. I should have taken a course in school law or school finance.
• Human Development and Family Major-(Working as a Professional Organizer)-Take all of the courses in home economics as well as coursework in business and marketing.

Employers are saying...

• Human Services Field-Take courses in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice. Remember also that skills such as communication skills, empathy, being creative, being motivated, and open-mindedness are also important.
• Law Enforcement-Take courses in criminal justice and psychology. Ethics, strong communication, and confidence are some related skills for this field.

SCIENCE

Alumni are saying...

• Biopsychology Major-(Working as a Physicians Assistant)- Take coursework in biochemistry and genetics. I should have taken a course in pharmacology as well. Get an internship in a hospital or nursing home and ask to shadow a PA now.
• Analytical Chemistry/Pharmacy Science Major-(Working in Diagnostic Toxicology)-Take coursework in statistics, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. I should have taken coursework in matrix algebra and business.
• Agronomy Major-(Working in Plant Molecular Biology)-I believe genetics, molecular biology, and English composition were most beneficial. I should have taken courses in critical thinking or psychology.
• Horticulture/Agronomy Major-(Working as a Professor)-Classwork that was beneficial to me was turfgrass science, soils plant psychology, and micro-climate weed science. More coursework in turfgrass science would have been worthwhile.
• Dairy Manufacturing Major-(Working as a Plant Manager)-This was my major back in the 1950s. I am now a Plant Manager. My coursework in bacteriology, ice cream making, and butter market milk dairy judging was beneficial. I wish I had taken a course in Business Administration.

Employers are saying...

• Animal Health Inside Sales -I recommend courses in animal science, vet science, vet clinic and/or a farm background. Transferable skills needed for this field are strong communications, adaptability, computer, typing skills, and teamwork

WORLD VIEWS

Alumni are saying...

• Sociology Major-(Working in Child Protective Services)- I recommend sociology and psychology coursework as well as obtaining an internship in Child Protective Services.
• Sociology and Counseling Major-(Working in a Career Services Office)-I now work as a director of career development and would recommend taking courses in interpersonal relations, counseling techniques, and higher education environments.
• History Major-(Working as an Independent Filmmaker)-For my field, I recommend coursework in fiction, american history, film production, screenwriting, and shakespeare. I also wish I had taken a course in finance or accounting.
• Spanish/Latin American Studies Major-(Working as an Employee Relations Coordinator)-Coursework in Spanish grammar and literature was important as well as study abroad courses. I should have had courses in computer applications and business administration. You'll be happy you took a foreign language.

NUMBERS AND LOGIC

Alumni are saying...

• Chemical Engineering Major-(Working as a Plant Engineer)-I felt my work in transport operations, microbiology, dairy products, and food science was important. I should have taken a course in accounting and AutoCAD.
• Computer Engineering Major-(Working as a Network Administrator)- OS courses, networking courses, digital signals, and senior design were beneficial to me. I recommend taking courses in database programming because I did not and wish I had.
• Electrical Engineering Major-(Working as an Electrical Engineer)-Math classes were essential. I should have taken more coursework in lighting power systems and architecture. Learn AutoCAD and work for a contractor to gain blueprint/real world experience.
• Mechanical Engineering Major-(Working as a Mechanical Engineer)-Courses in mechatronics, mechanical design, and engineering management benefited me the most. A business or accounting course would have been good to have. Learn good team work skills.

Employers are saying...

• Engineers-As a firm that hires engineers, we look for good written and verbal communication skills. You will need to know how to write reports. Communication and teamwork as well as technical skills will make you suited for this profession.
• Programming/Software Developer -Gain a good computer engineering background as well as proficiency in C++programming. We take BS degrees from Computer Science or Computer Engineering. You should have good problem solving skills and the ability to work in a team environment.