There are many ways that parents and family members of UW-Madison students can encourage and support them throughout their academic and career journey.
On this page, you will find more information on what Career Services at UW-Madison can provide your student, plus answers to many frequently asked questions.
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View the Career Services at UW-Madison Parent & Family presentation.
What is Career Services at UW-Madison?
Career Services at UW-Madison is a network of professional staff around campus whose goal is to prepare students to navigate their career journey and help them find success through career coaching, online resources, events, connections to employers and alumni, and more!
Our goal is to prepare students to navigate their career journey and help them find success during and beyond their time at UW–Madison.
Your student may meet with a career advisor in a one-on-one or small group coaching session to:
- Explore career and major options
- Discuss values, skills, and interests
- Receive help with resumes and cover letters
- Search for jobs and internships
- Connect with alumni and employers
- Prepare and practice for interviews
- Get assistance applying to graduate school
Career Services offices also offer a wide variety of career events and resources, including:
- Workshops, networking events, information sessions, and career treks
- A variety of career and internship fairs
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Career-related courses
- Employer and alumni events
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does my student find their career services office?
Each school or college at UW-Madison has a career services office to support their students and employers.
There are also several career services offices available to meet with any student looking to explore their academic and career goals.
When should my student seek out career advising?
It’s never too early or too late for your student to visit a career advisor or attend career programs and events!
We encourage students to get connected to their Career Services office early. A career advisor can be a valuable resource for your student when it comes to thinking about their major, job interests, and future career.
Besides career coaching and advising, how else can my student engage with Career Services at UW-Madison?
Career Services offices offer a variety of programs and opportunities for students to explore career options, meet employers and alumni, and develop professionally. This includes:
- Career and internship fairs
- Career-related courses
- Online resources and tools
- Workshops and career events
- Workplace experience opportunities
- Employer and alumni events
How important is it that my student completes an internship?
Internships are valuable experience! At UW-Madison, we define internships as any type of workplace experience where students develop and gain professional skills. These can include traditional internships, co-ops, practica, externships, clinicals, student teaching, research, volunteering, and part-time jobs.
All of these experiences provide a great opportunity for students to explore careers, apply their coursework to a professional setting, develop skills, expand their networks, and potentially get job offers.
From the employer’s perspective, internship and similar workplace experiences are often the deciding factor when employers are evaluating two otherwise qualified candidates (National Association of Colleges and Employers). We are proud to report that 100% of UW-Madison students complete an internship, volunteer role, or part-time job while attending college (First Destination Survey).
How can my student explore career interests outside of the classroom?
There are a variety of ways for your student to explore their career interests and gain real world experience outside of classes and coursework! As parents and family members, you can encourage them to be open to new experiences and to utilize their Career Services office to get connected to exciting opportunities, including:
- Conducting a job shadow or informational interview
- Working a part-time or on-campus job
- Joining a student organization
- Engaging in research with faculty
- Volunteering
- Attending career fairs and events
- Visiting your school or college’s career center and/or the Career Exploration Center
If my student is feeling overwhelmed with their career choices, what advice can I provide them?
This is a very common feeling students express when making decisions about their future. We recommend normalizing this feeling and letting them know they are not alone or behind in their career planning.
Listen, ask questions, and encourage your student to visit the Career Exploration Center or their school/college’s career services office for additional support and guidance.
Can students do internships abroad?
Absolutely! We recommend that your student work with the International Internships office if they are interested in exploring international opportunities.
Where do UW-Madison undergraduate students typically work after graduation? What if my student is interested in working outside of Wisconsin?
UW-Madison graduates are highly sought after around the world! In the past 5 years, UW-Madison graduates reported employment in:
- 62 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties
- 53 states or territories
- 63 countries
Common industries graduates work in include:
- Healthcare
- Internet & Software
- Manufacturing
- Insurance
- K-12 Education
- Management Consulting
- Retail
- Real Estate
- Higher Education
- Financial Services
Common employers who hire UW-Madison grads include:
- UW-Madison
- UW Health
- Epic
- State of Wisconsin
- Kohl’s
- Madison Metropolitan School District
- Deloitte
- UnityPoint Meriter
- Amazon
- Milwaukee Tool
Supporting Your Student's Career Journey
You are an important piece of the puzzle! In fact, 56 percent of our first-year students say that family and friends influence their career plans (NSSE, 2023). Here are some tips for supporting your student’s career journey:
- Be open and willing to listen.
- Encourage exploration and being okay with some uncertainty.
- Emphasize the benefits of outside-the-classroom experiences.
- Let them know they are not alone if they are unsure or confused.
- Advocate for engagement with a career services office.