About the Author
Cody Kangas
Executive Director, Career Services
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Navigating the world of work has never been more challenging for college students. They’re entering a landscape defined by rapid technological change, shifting employer expectations, and entirely new forms of work. It’s no surprise that students today are asking more pointed questions about their futures — not just what they want to do, but how to build the skills, experiences, and confidence that will get them there. Academic achievement remains essential, but it’s no longer the whole story. Student success now requires both academic preparation and the practical skills and experiences employers expect — not just one or the other.
Students Want Real Experience
Recent reporting from Inside Higher Ed underscores what we see every day at Michigan Tech: students overwhelmingly want internships, co‑ops, and other forms of applied learning. They view these experiences as essential to career readiness — to test their skills, understand industry expectations, and gain clarity about their professional paths.
This lines up with Michigan Tech’s long-standing culture of experiential learning, including hands-on learning. Our students have always been builders, problem‑solvers, and doers. Their expectations reflect a broader national shift, one that places career-aligned learning at the center of a meaningful college education.
Higher Ed Leaders Are Prioritizing Workforce Development
Students aren’t the only ones calling for more intentional career preparation. A recent national survey shows that higher education leaders rank workforce development as their top priority heading into 2026 — ahead of enrollment pressures, financial concerns, and other institutional challenges.
When student expectations and institutional priorities converge this clearly, universities have an opportunity to respond with clarity and purpose. Meeting this moment requires coordination across academic departments, student services, employer partnerships, and applied-learning programs. It requires a shared understanding of what career readiness looks like today.
The World of Work Is Evolving — and Students Need a Guide
The world of work is shifting at a clip that outpaces what any curriculum alone can cover. Harvard Business Review highlights nine major trends shaping work in 2026 and beyond, from AI’s uneven return on investment to shifting talent expectations and widening skills gaps. These forces are reshaping what employers need and how students must prepare.
Students feel this acceleration. They’re navigating uncertainty, emerging technologies, and new expectations around adaptability, communication, and problem‑solving. They need support interpreting these trends and connecting them to their own goals.
Career Services sits at the intersection of all these forces. Our role is not simply to help students find jobs after graduation. It’s to serve as the integrator that connects academic learning with real‑world application, translates employer needs into student opportunities, and helps students navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
We work across campus to ensure that students have access to the experiences, skills, and networks that prepare them for meaningful careers. We build and sustain the employer partnerships that make applied learning possible. And we help students make sense of the future of work, empowering them to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Michigan Tech’s Advantage: A Career Ecosystem Already in Motion
Last year, I discussed the idea of a career ecosystem, a coordinated, campus‑wide approach to student success. Our students benefit from a rich array of experiential opportunities, including Enterprise, co‑ops, APMP, RSOs, and study abroad. These programs give students a competitive edge and prepare them to be self‑aware, resilient, and globally minded.
Our employer partnerships are strong and growing. The University’s exceptional employment outcomes — including a record career placement rate and a median early career salary of $82,400 — are not accidental. They reflect a campus community committed to integrating academic excellence, applied learning, and career readiness.
Preparing Students for a Lifetime of Work
As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: to prepare students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of work in a world that continues to evolve. That requires an ecosystem approach that brings together students, faculty, employers, and future‑of‑work insights in a coordinated, student‑centered way.
Career Services is proud to play this integrative role, and we will continue to evolve, collaborate, and innovate to ensure that every Michigan Tech student is equipped to thrive in whatever comes next.