CALS career events are a great way for students to begin their professional career journeys.
Make sure to check your student email for our weekly eCALS newsletter for up-to-date information on career events and opportunities provided by CALS, check Handshake, and follow us on LinkedIn for more career development events.
Upcoming Career Events
CALS Career Day: Your One-Stop Career Launch Pad
Kick off the semester with CALS Career Day on Thursday, September 4 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM in Room 25 of Agricultural Hall.
Stop by to get expert feedback on your resume, explore internship and job resources, pick up some CALS swag, and learn more about upcoming events and services. Plus, don’t miss your chance to get a free professional headshot—perfect for your LinkedIn profile or Handshake page.
No registration required—just drop in!
CALS Drop-In Resume Reviews
Need a quick second opinion on your resume? Stop by for drop-in resume reviews on Thursday, September 11 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Room 116 of Agricultural Hall.
CALS Career Services staff will be on hand to provide personalized feedback, suggest improvements, and help you tailor your resume for jobs, internships, or grad school applications.
No appointment necessary—just bring a printed copy or your laptop and we’ll help you strengthen your materials on the spot.
A great way to get ready for upcoming career fairs, interviews, or applications.
General Mills Virtual Alumni Panel
Please use the URL to register and submit questions to panelists:
https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/S28hZ1AcSSqJcTHh4B2RTg#/registration
Are you interested in food safety & quality assurance, food science, food research & development, regulatory & compliance, food systems & supply chain, regenerative agriculture, and other areas of the food creation/production process?
Join UW-Madison alumni as we discuss what it looks like to work in the Innovation, Technology, and Quality division at General Mills and how YOU can be apart of it! Hear about career paths, learned experiences, application tips, how to build your skills, be a strong candidate, and ask your burning questions.
Sample majors of Badger Alums that are represented in General Mills ITQ include: Dairy Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Nutritional Sciences, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Material Science and Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering and more!
Did you know there are currently 48 UW-Madison Alumni that work in ITQ at General Mills which is the largest divisional representation of Badgers at General Mills?
Learn more about General Mills ITQ Division here
Sept. 24, 10am-3pm
Genetics Biotechnology Center Atrium
Lobby Day: 10am – 3pm Genetics Biotechnology Center Atrium
Grab some snacks while learning more about their internships, leadership development programs and full-time opportunities.
Secure the Job Workshop: 6pm – 7pm Engineering Hall room 1610
Network with their Talent Acquisition Team, Engineers and Scientists while learning tips and tricks to a great interview and resume building. Open to all STEM majors.
CALS Pre-Career Fair Tabling
Stop in and chat with employers hiring CALS students that are attending the Kohl Center Career Fair later in the day. This casual tabling event allows you to drop in at any point between classes. We will be in the atrium of the Genetics Biotechnology Center Building (425 Henry Mall) just outside of the 1441 lecture hall!
This event is a great space to:
– Practice speaking with company reps and polishing your elevator pitch
– Learn about relevant opportunities if you are actively seeking internships/full-time roles
-First and second year students can inquire about things they can work on now to be strong future applicants
– Make an early impression if you are interested in applying to roles at these companies
More companies will be added as they confirm.
See latest information on Handshake.
Local and State Environmental Roles Virtual Panel
Are you passionate about the environment, natural resources, conservation, or urban development? Join us for an interactive event designed to help students explore career pathways in these fields at the state, county, and city levels. Learn directly from professionals working in government roles, discover what skills and qualifications are needed, and gain valuable insights into internships, job opportunities, and how to get started in public sector careers that shape our communities and environment.
Please register on zoom with the link below and submit questions for panelists here:
https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/xp_QptQGSJyNovVMTfr7lw#/registration
All majors and all school years are encouraged to attend that have a passion for the environmental field.
Site Visit to LabCorp
Explore Careers in Diagnostic and Drug Development
Join CALS Career Services for a visit to LabCorp on Friday, October 3 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM, where you’ll get an inside look at one of the leading global life sciences companies.
This visit includes a tour of LabCorp’s local facility and conversations with industry professionals working in diagnostics, clinical research, and pharmaceutical development. Learn how your coursework and interests might translate into real-world roles in this fast-growing field.
Transportation is provided, and registration is required on Handshake.
Merck Ask-an-Alum
Charlie Schneider is a 2020 UW-Madison Biochemistry Alumni. He is currently a Scientist for Merck (Cambridge, Mass.). He is NOT ACTIVELY RECRUITING, but will be tabling on Oct. 6 (10-Noon) in the Biochemical Sciences Building Atrium for folks that would like to chat with him.
Come bring all your burning questions to him so he can help you with your goals in biotech and informally share his experiences and hear about yours. Charlie is interested in helping folks understand what its like to work at Merck, the east coast, journey to big pharma from Madison, and tips/insights to help with you search.
Drop-in as your schedule allows.
Biotechnology Connector: Meet Employers, Explore Career Paths
Connect with professionals working across the biotech industry at the Biotechnology Connector on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in the Discovery Building.
This casual networking event is designed to help you learn about different roles and organizations within the biotech space.
You’ll have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with employer representatives, ask questions about their work, and gather insights into potential internships or careers.
Eli Lilly Campus Visit: Explore Careers in Pharma and Biotech
Don’t miss the Eli Lilly Campus Visit, taking place in October 7-9
Register on Handshake to see more details.
You’ll have the chance to speak directly with Eli Lilly employer representatives—including UW alumni—to learn about internship and job opportunities at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Whether you’re majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a related field, this is a valuable opportunity to make connections and explore career pathways in the life sciences industry.
Moderna Campus Visit: Careers in Cutting-Edge Biotech
Explore what it’s like to work at the forefront of mRNA technology and biotech innovation. The Moderna Campus Visit will take place in Ag Hall this October 9th.
Employer representatives from Moderna will be on campus to connect with students and share information about job and internship opportunities. Learn more about the wide variety of roles available, from research and development to operations and beyond. This is an excellent opportunity to explore career paths, ask questions, and network with a global biotech leader.
More information and registration will be available on Handshake.
Explore Careers in Biotech: Site Visit to Exact Sciences
Curious about working in the biotech industry? On Thursday, October 9 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM, join CALS Career Services for an exciting site visit to Exact Sciences, a leading Madison-based biotechnology company.
You’ll meet on campus and take provided transportation to their site for a tour, conversations with industry professionals, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in biotech.
Whether you’re studying biology, genetics, biochemistry—or just exploring your options—this is a great chance to see science in action and ask questions in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.
Registration is required on Handshake. Transportation provided.
Food & Agriculture Connector: Build Connections Across the Industry
Join us for the Food & Agriculture Connector on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in the Discovery Building.
From sustainable farming and supply chain logistics to food science and policy, this event brings together a wide range of employers eager to connect with students. You’ll have the chance to explore career paths, ask questions, and make meaningful connections in a relaxed, conversational setting.
Open to students in all majors with an interest in the future of food and agriculture.
Biology at Work Alumni Panel
What can you do with a major in Biology? Quite a lot!
Wednesday, Oct 22nd
Carson’s Market, Second floor
Learn from biology alumni about how they found rewarding careers in many different fields. They figured it out and you can too!
Stop in for all or part of the event to join groups of other students to chat with alumni.
https://wisc.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1783142
More information available on Handshake.
ORISE Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Virtual Q+A
Leslie Fox (Manager for Outreach & Engagement) for Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) will lead an informative hour on how to make the most of this program! She is dedicated to educating students on ORISE and assisting with your experience to confidently participate in their nationwide research lab network.
Use this url to register for this event and ask questions for Leslie to field during the session:
https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/N0Kp09LnQMy8jZEI05V_CA
During this virtual hour Leslie will:
-Showcase the vast amount of STEM internships, fellowships, and post-graduate roles with their wide network
-Give advice on how to excel in the application process and navigate their system (Zintellect)
-Share perks of participating in the program and hear about success stories
-Deliver need-to-knows before applying
-Space to field all your burning questions
Kerry CALS Winter Job Shadow Day
Come experience a global leader in taste and nutritional development right here in WI for the day while you are on winter break!
Kerry will provide us with a full product journey session. This will showcase how a product goes from an idea all the way into the customers hands. Students will hear from employees and experience the physical space of RD&A, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain and Customer Care. This will follow with a tour of the pilot plant and labs. Students will also leave with some tasty goodies.
This opportunity is limited to 40 students. Any student from any school/college at UW is welcome to join. Priority on the waiting list will be given to CALS students.
To sign-up please rsvp to this handshake page. The deadline to sign-up is December 1st. Any school year is welcome to join.
CALS Case Competition Fall 2025 with Organic Valley
More info coming soon
Read about past CALS Case Competitions here.
Preparing for a Career Fair
Before attending a job fair, it’s essential to strategize, plan, and prepare to leave a lasting impression on potential employers. This involves having a polished resume, crafting a compelling introduction or “elevator pitch,” conducting thorough research on participating employers to formulate insightful questions, and ensuring your attire is professional and appropriate.
Need additional help preparing? Make an appointment on Starfish to meet with an advisor.
Interested in the All-Campus Career Fair? Click here to learn more!