Learning experiences help propel students into jobs

This paid piece is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

It has been said that finding a job can be a full-time job, but for many graduates of Southeast Technical College, that has not been their experience.

STC’s latest Graduate Outcomes Report, published in late May, shows that 41 of Southeast Tech’s academic programs had a 100 percent job placement rate. For all academic programs combined, the rate is 98 percent.

“This is a point of pride for us at Southeast Tech,” said Billie Streufert, director of success and federal compliance.

“It is certainly a reflection of our enrollment management model of providing support to students from application through graduation, ensuring they have the resources they need to be successful.”

Data from the Graduate Outcomes Report is reported for all associate degrees, diplomas and certificates nine months after graduation, based on methodology defined by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.

However, many Southeast Tech graduates have jobs lined up before they graduate. Students make these connections through internships, clinical and job-shadowing opportunities and through the Build Dakota Scholarship program.

Alex Esquibel, who graduated in May from STC’s civil engineering technology and land surveying science program, had one such experience.

“I did job-shadowing at DGR Engineering, which piqued my interest in wanting to work there,” Esquibel said. “I applied and was offered a full-time position in January before I graduated.”

Morgan Tegels, who graduated in 2023 from the surgical technology program, had multiple job offers, but she was able to narrow down where she wanted to work based on her experience at clinical.

“I was testing the waters to see where I wanted to go,” Tegels said. “But my clinical experience at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital showed it was the best choice for me. It was really nice being able to know how the system worked before actually starting as an employee.”

Similarly, scholarships such as the full-ride Build Dakota offer students additional opportunities to network and make connections in the industry they have chosen.

“Receiving the Build Dakota Scholarship was a huge relief financially,” said Travis Dann, an automotive technology student expecting to graduate in 2025. “It has also been great knowing I have a job in my career field while in school and after I graduate.”

While these experiences are a great benefit to students and graduates, the benefit is mutual for employers too.

“Our industry partners often tell us that they need and value STC graduates,” Streufert said. “And we are honored to reside in a growing community that values these workforce partnerships.”