How the SUU Career Center Helps Students
Posted: July 08, 2025 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 4 minutes
Southern Utah University prides itself on being an institution dedicated to preparing students for life after graduation. By providing courses that are career-focused and reminiscent of what students will encounter in their careers following graduation, SUU has a high percentage college-to-career rate and alumni across the world that will help newly graduated T-Birds soar beyond campus.
But what really sets SUU apart in helping students jumpstart their careers is the involvement of the Career and Professional Development Center. The center assists students through career and internship fairs, career guidance, and more. Located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Room 204, the Career Center is available to students, alumni, or employers wishing to schedule a meeting to find job opportunities or to post a job opening. Anyone wishing to do so, can schedule an appointment.
One alumnus, Emma Luneborg, graduated in 2023 with a degree in Biology and offered her thoughts about the career resources SUU makes available to students: “One skill that everyone should obtain during college is networking. Without networking, I wouldn’t know amazing people doing great work across the globe or be able to grow fast within my company after just shy of 2 years of working there. Utilizing the Career Center, career fairs, and Handshake gave me great internships before I finished my degree and a great job waiting for me once I graduated!”
A lot of programs and majors at SUU have internships as part of degree requirements, and the Career and Internship Fair is a great opportunity to find available internships in a myriad of fields.
2023 Communications graduate Reese Whitaker stated, “The internship program at SUU really helped me gain professional experience, even though my internship was in a bit of a different field than my major.”
The Career Center is also available to assist students who are having difficulty deciding on a major or are looking to change majors. It offers workshops, assessments, and the Exploratory Studies course: SUU 1020, offered both fall and spring semesters, all to help students find the major that aligns with their interests and career goals.
“Although I found my internships on my own, SUU equipped me with skills and confidence in order to go after this experience! I met with the Career Center frequently to help me build up my resume, LinkedIn, and interview prep. All three of my internships were something I asked for; sometimes all you have to do is work on yourself and ask! Anything can be achievable. Go to the Career Center!” said Alyssa Kirste, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in Psychology.
Many SUU students have even started their career with employers they have met at the Career and Internship Fairs.
Ryan Sunderman, a 2022 SUU Communications graduate, stated, “I landed a career with Hilton Grand Vacations from a one-off career fair just to see what was out there. I wasn't expecting anything from the fair, but I have been with Hilton Grand Vacations for nearly two years and I can't imagine leaving!”
And sometimes, an internship can lead a student back home. Sophia Grzywacz graduated in 2024 with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Accounting, and now works full time for SUU across the street at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
“I first landed the Professional Internship Program with APEX which then transitioned into me working my way up to becoming the Executive Producer for APEX. Through my connections with APEX, I was able to make so many connections that led me to my current position as the Education Program's Manager at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I was able to learn about different job fields and how anyone can do anything. I really appreciate my experience at APEX because it helped me create what I consider my legacy at SUU. I am very proud to be part of this institution.”
For students or alumni seeking a job or career assistance, the Career Center website provides assistance with tailoring resumes, cover letters, interview etiquette, and selecting a professional wardrobe for interviews. Everything from how to write a resume or cover letter to how to organize a reference list, the Career Center is able to help job-searching students or alumni adjust their materials so that they put their best foot forward online or in the interview room.
Online visitors on the Career Center website are presented with a list of on-campus jobs, as well as a link to off-campus jobs via Handshake. The site also provides job seekers with job search tips, advice for building a solid LinkedIn profile as well as how to network effectively online and in person. For students in the market for an internship, the Career Center website has resources up and at the ready. The Career Center also hosts a career and internship fair once a semester to help students meet employers and see what paths are open and available at the moment. In addition to these lists and resources, students seeking out a job can refer to the other career programs provided by the Career Center such as the Career Academy, the Career Cafe Podcast, or the Professional Internship Program.
The SUU Career Center is a great place for students, alumni, and employers to find work, internships, or to post jobs, in addition to learning how to better navigate the workforce. Learn more about the SUU Career Center.
Tags: Campus Career and Professional Development CurStu Campus Resources Prospective Students Academic Career Center
