Career Development at DU

At the University of Denver, students experience top-notch career development focused on goals that have the greatest value for their careers after graduation. Recognized both regionally and nationally for excellence in career services and career connected learning, DU supports students in gaining the skills and tools needed for success in the transforming world of work.  

The impact of career development: Kendall Oliver’s story

I first became interested in engineering because I enjoyed problem-solving and wanted to create products that could improve people's lives. During my time at the University of Denver, that interest grew into a passion for medical devices through my coursework, design projects, and internships. Throughout that journey, the Burwell Center, especially the STEM Career & Professional Development advisor, became an invaluable resource. Having someone who understood the engineering industry made a huge difference. She helped me tailor my resume to what engineering recruiters were actually looking for, prepared me for interviews, and even coached me through negotiating my full-time salary based on the role and industry. Beyond the formal appointments, my career advisor was always someone I could reach out to with quick questions, ask for advice on networking priorities, or simply get reassurance that I was on the right track. Having that support gave me confidence throughout the internship and job search process. 

With guidance from both my parents and my career advisor, I was fortunate to secure summer internships with the same Medtronic team after both my sophomore and junior years. Those experiences allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real engineering projects while gaining firsthand experience in a corporate environment. They also helped me discover the type of work and team culture I enjoy, while giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my skills over an extended period rather than in a single interview. When I received a return offer, I was thrilled because I already knew I loved both the team and the work. Today, I work as a Systems Engineer I in Released Product Engineering within Medtronic's Neuromodulation business. My role focuses on supporting products after they have been released to market by investigating customer issues, evaluating product performance, and testing software and system updates before they reach patients. I love knowing that my work directly supports people who already rely on these devices, helping ensure they continue to receive safe, reliable therapy. Looking back, the support I received from the Burwell Center helped me navigate every stage of my career journey, from preparing for internships to negotiating my first full-time offer and gave me the confidence to transition from engineering student to professional engineer. 

Internships make the difference

Over 77% of undergraduates and over 85% of master’s students in the most recent graduating class completed one or more internship while at DU. Knowing that students with internship experience are the most successful in securing jobs within six months of graduation, and DU helps students pursue internships through their academic areas, independently, and through connections with employers. Students also benefit from the support provided by the Summer Internship Award Program.

Internships at DU: Maddie Weiser

To help students explore internship possibilities and connect directly with employers, the Career & Professional Development team launched Internship Spotlights: Spark Your Future, an interactive event designed to make experiential learning opportunities more visible and accessible. Through a series of fast-paced employer presentations, students learned about internship opportunities across industries, while alumni and peers shared how internships helped shape their career journeys. 

The event concluded with a resource fair featuring fellowship advisors, resume reviewers, past interns, and campus partners, providing students with personalized guidance and practical next steps. By bringing employers, alumni, and career resources together in one space, the event helped students build confidence, expand their networks, and discover meaningful pathways to career success. 

One employer shared the impact of these connections after hiring a DU student they first met at a spring internship fair. Reflecting on a photo taken during the event, the employer noted that it captured their first interaction with a DU student who was later hired for the internship. The student now serves as the organization's year-long Program Management intern and is expected to help pitch the organization's internships at a future Internship Spotlights event, demonstrating how employer engagement can create a lasting cycle of opportunity for DU students. 

Alexandra Mele’s story

Class of 2026, BA in Ecology & Biodiversity (NSM), Citizen Science & Environment Intern at Jovial Concepts

What resources at DU were helpful to you in finding your internship at Jovial Concepts?

It was incredibly helpful to have the option of connecting with employers via the career office when I could not make it to the spring career fair. My class/work schedule was crazy during the spring and without this option, I would not have my internship this summer. Additionally, the summer internship award has been super helpful because I am able to spend more time focusing on my internship rather than working another job to make ends meet! Because of this, I am getting so many valuable experiences. 

How did working with your advisor impact your confidence during the search process?

Working with an advisor positively impacted my confidence as they were able to provide a different lens into the work I have done and help me understand how my experiences can be tailored to fit my desired jobs. I felt super unprepared before taking the leadership class but now feel more confident and capable when talking about my past experiences and how I can apply them in the future.

How has this experience influenced your career goals or future plans?

This has given me many more skills and resources to help me achieve my dream job when I graduate. I am super grateful that I took the leadership class and connected with people in the career office before going into my last semester, because now, I am aware of all of the resources available to me as I begin my job search. Specific resources include interview preparation, career center events, various websites for job searching, and understanding how to tailor my past experiences in my resume/cover letters.

What career readiness skills (communication, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, etc.) did you strengthen most?

I strengthened communication and professionalism. By practicing negotiating salaries and communicating with potential employers, I feel that I have a good foundation for where I hope to take this skill post grad. Additionally, my professionalism has improved by listening to guest speakers, doing hands-on activities, and engaging with companies at the winter career fair. 

Building career ready skills. 

Across DU, students build skills and competencies to support them in their future work. For example, students who participated in this year’s career development programming consistently reported increasing career and self-development and communication. These are core competencies that prepare college graduates for success, as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Student Employment highlights

The Student Employees Achieve (SEA) badge prepares students to tell future employers about the career readiness they’ve built working on campus. 

• "The most eye-opening takeaway was realizing how seamlessly the NACE career readiness competencies weave into everyday student work. I had been refining my professionalism, technology, and communication skills all along, I just hadn’t named them. The SEA badge gave me that language, and with it, a new level of confidence to step into any interview and articulate my value with clarity and conviction.” - Jo Daggupati, MS Health Data Science ‘26, SEA Badge fall 2025 and winter 2026

• 29% increase in students feeling prepared to explain to future employers how their current job prepared them in contexts like job interviews 

Career Growth Reports prompt students to reflect on their skill building in their student jobs and receive direct feedback from their supervisors. 

• “As a result of this experience, I have come to realize just how capable I am. I have encountered a plethora of novel situations that required thinking on my feet and synthesizing the variety of skills I have developed in order to respond compassionately, appropriately, and effectively.” Sage Krzyzkowski, CAHSS student, works for HRE

• Supervisors scored student employees highest on professionalism, communication, and teamwork.  

• Based on an annual survey, student employees reported growing most in critical thinking, communication, and career and self-development.