Mechanical engineering student Jonathon Kittelson, (pictured on the left with his supervisor, Jayden Prauner) spent last summer
interning with Cardinal Health in Norfolk, Neb.
While in school 79% of Mines students land at least one paid
major-related internship before graduation, many of students find internship opportunities
at a university hosted career fair.
South Dakota Mines held the largest springtime
career fair in university history with 126 vendors signed up to take part on Tuesday, Feb. 2. These vendors are lining up to hire Mines students
for internships and full-time positions despite the ongoing pandemic.
“This
speaks volumes for the value each and every Mines graduate brings to society,”
says Patricia Mahon, Ph.D., Dean of Students at Mines. This past fall, hiring slowed
slightly due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Employers are now planning for
the end of the pandemic, and they are eager to hire Mines students and alumni for
internships and full-time positions. Mines career fairs are generally attended
by over 1,000 students. The university moved the event to a virtual format in
the fall of 2020 to reduce COVID-19 spread. The fair remains virtual this
spring.
Vendors
and employers at the Spring 2021 Career Fair include companies, military,
governmental organizations and universities. Businesses and organizations
attending include 3M, Abbott, Black Hills Energy, Caterpillar, Cargill,
Daktronics, Emerson, FBI, Freeport-McMoRan, Garmin, Kiewit, Air Force Civilian
Services, Scull Construction, Nucor, Omnitech, Raven, Sanford Health and many
others. These employers come from 31 different states plus DC with 33 in-state
companies represented, 14 of these are from the Black Hills.
Despite the pandemic-related economic
slowdown South Dakota Mines students remain in high demand. The most recent
numbers show 96% of recent graduates are employed in their field of study.
Mines graduates enjoy an average starting salary of $66,500. While in school 79% of
Mines students land at least one paid major-related internship before graduation.
Mines student interns make an average of $19.70 per hour, many students use
this money to offset their tuition. The cost of attending Mines is lower than
many competitors and the university has been ranked the number one
engineering school in the nation for return on investment.
South Dakota Mines’ career
fairs are open to Mines students and alumni only.