Students

“CALS Career Services has been an integral partner in my professional journey. Their guidance and expertise have elevated my resume writing skills and equipped me with the tools to effectively network and present myself to potential employers. The team’s warm and welcoming demeanor always put me at ease, and they trusted me to define my own career aspirations.”

Justin Moua, Class of 2023, Biochemistry

“The staff are exceptionally helpful at making sense of job hunting. As a new graduate it can all be intimidating but CALS is there at every turn with inside information of what employers want and need.”

Zoe Grebin, Class of 2023, Animal and Dairy Sciences

“The Career Services team brings a fun and inspiring energy to helping students reach their professional goals. I will leave UW-Madison with lifelong professional skills that were only made possible by Career Services’ guidance.”

Grace Novak, Class of 2023, Life Sciences Communication & Genetics and Genomics

Career Services for CALS Students

You have goals, we help you get there.

Our dedicated staff is here to help you connect the dots from College to Career. With an education from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, you can be confident you will graduate ready for success in numerous industries. Our guidance and resources will support your drive to succeed as you explore potential career paths, gain valuable experiences, and secure your first job or graduate school offer.

Don’t wait to start planning your future. Visit us today and let us help you take the first step towards a successful career.

How Career Services can help:

One-on-one career counseling to help you identify your strengths and career goals
Resume, cover letter, and personal statement reviews to ensure your application materials are top-notch
Interview preparation to build your confidence
Career events to give you an inside look at different industries and career paths
Access to job and internship postings from top employers in a variety of fields

Check Out How CALS Career Services Helps Badgers Prepare for Their Next Step After Graduation in this Video:

Career Advising

Our experienced Career Advising team is available to provide individualized attention and support as you plan your professional development experiences. We can help you get started on a resume, practice for an interview, create a job search strategy, prepare for graduate school, or explore careers.

Schedule an appointment with a member of the CALS Career Advising Team

Handshake

Handshake makes it easy for every UW-Madison student to explore career events, connect to jobs and internships, and even schedule on-campus interviews.

With Handshake you can:

Browse and register for career events on campus
Explore thousands of jobs and internships from over 300K employers nationwide 
Get personalized job recommendations based on your major, interests, and more 
Manage your own campus interviews with top employers

Questions? Visit the student help center.

Big Interview

Big Interview is an online system that combines training and practice to help improve each user’s interview technique and build confidence.

Watch this Introduction to Big Interview video for a brief overview of the platform and its capabilities. For additional information and resources, visit https://careers.wisc.edu/big-interview/ .

Resources

Resume book: resume examples from every CALS major. See how other students with similar educational backgrounds have demonstrated their skills and abilities.

Graduate and Professional School Preparation online asynchronous course: tailored to programs to which CALS students are typically interested in applying. Programs included are Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Physician Assistant, Graduate Degrees in Research, Masters of Public Health, Masters of Social Work, Dietetics, and Law.

Student Resource Guides: great first step when you are starting to explore your options, are preparing for a job/internship search or are applying for graduate school.

Find guides for:

Internships

Inter-AG 340

Build a portfolio of personal career tools while learning from your peers! CALS Career Services offers Inter-AG 340, a 1-credit, asynchronous course for STEM students wanting to participate in an internship for credit. This class is appropriate for international students seeking Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The class offered during the summer term and students are allowed to repeat this course. Inter-AG 340 is open to any UW-Madison student in a STEM major and enrollment priority will be given to CALS students.

Internship Scholarship

Have an unpaid or underpaid summer internship? Consider applying for a CALS Internship Scholarship! Awardees can receive an award up to $5,000. Applications open in February. Preference will be given to students who would not have the ability to complete an internship without additional funding.

Internship Resources

Salary Information

2022-2023 salary information

Salaries of 2022-2023 B.S. graduates from colleges of agricultural & life sciences across the country by major:

Events

Fall 2023 Events

Career Fair Prep Night

In partnership with SuccessWorks and the School of Human Ecology

September 19th (4:30-7:00pm)-Gordon Dining and Event Center

Fall Career & Internship Fair

In partnership with the Wisconsin School of Business, SuccessWorks, and School of Human Ecology

September 20th (4:00-8:00pm)-Kohl Center

CALS Interview Day (via Career Fair)

Select employers are arranging next day interviews/chats with our office as needed. Students should watch their email for invites from employers they met with at the fair.

September 21st (9am-5pm)-Steenbock Library

Food and Agriculture Connector

Confirmed companies: Post Consumer Brands, Beloit Skycarp, Sargento, Molson Coors, Johnsonville, Kerry, Brakebush, Peak Genetics, Hormel, McCain Foods, Foremost Farms, PS Seasoning, Cargill, Lactalis, OSI Group, Denali Ingedients, and Eurofins

September 27th (5:00-7:30pm)-Great Hall, Memorial Union

Biotech Connector

In partnership with SuccessWorks.

Confirmed Companies: Exact Sciences, Illumina, Labcorp, GE Healthcare, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher, Eurofins, Genus, Brainxcell, Millipore Sigma, Catalent, and Peak Genetics.

October 3rd (5:00-7:30pm)-Great Hall, Memorial Union

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Career Treksexpand_more

Career Treks provide a unique opportunity to bring students on-site to fully experience the working environment with one of our trusted employers. These trips give students access to interact with team members, explore the physical space, and see company operations in action. Contact us at career@cals.wisc.edu to learn about potentially hosting UW-Madison students!

What students are saying about Career Treks:

It was “very informative while still being fun. Very welcoming and organized.”
“Loved it!”

Connectorsexpand_more

Our industry connector series is a CALS Career Services Signature Event. We work with dedicated alumni, recruiters, and company employees to join us for themed networking nights. This event allows us to create an informal space for students to explore career paths, as well as self-evaluate their skills, passions, and knowledge in our aligned clusters. Reach out to career@cals.wisc.edu to learn more about meeting with our students at a Connector!

What students are saying about Connectors:

“It was very low stakes and I felt like I could be myself and ask questions without worrying.”
“It gave me the opportunity to see what jobs are available in the near future.”
The “informal aspect made talking to recruiters less intimidating.”

What employers are saying about Connectors:

“The casual atmosphere was really nice. I was consistently talking with students throughout the event. I had genuine, honest and even fun conversations with most of them (those who were interested in working in my field and those who were just curious). I think it would have been helpful to attend such an event when I was in their shoes.”

Fall Career & Internship Fair (FCIF)expand_more

CALS Career Services is a planning member of the Fall Career & Internship Fair, the largest single-day career fair that is open to all majors on campus. This event has included nearly 300 companies and over 2,500 students. This bi-annual even allows us to gather together as a campus community to support our shared portfolio.

In addition, CALS Career Services partners with additional career services units on campus, sponsoring the fair for pre-fair offerings such as the Career Fair Prep Night with employers. Ask us how you can maximize your visit with us during the Fair Week(s) by emailing us at career@cals.wisc.edu.

We are returning to the Kohl Center for the Fall 2023 Fair!

Did you know?

87%

CALS students agree that UW-Madison prepared them for the next step in their career path.

100%

CALS students participate in internships, co-op experiences, employment or volunteering while at UW-Madison.

#1

UW–Madison continually ranks as one of the top schools in the nation for students who volunteer with service organizations post-graduation.

FAQ’s

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Can first year students meet with a career advisor?expand_more

It is never too early to start thinking about career and professional development. The earlier you start thinking about career development, the more successful you will be. We encourage students to start using our services as soon as they can. There are many things you can start with right away – career exploration, resume writing, and searching for internships.

When do I start looking for a full-time post graduation job?expand_more

Upcoming important career development events and information sessions for CALS students can be found on Handshake, our LinkedIn page (request to join! ), and the CALS Academic Affairs weekly newsletter.

What’s the difference between a Resume and a CV?expand_more

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is often multiple pages and includes publications, academic conference presentations, teaching experience, and public service. Usually, a CV is only necessary if you have an advanced graduate or professional degree.

A resume is a one or two page document specifically tailored to the job or internship opening for which you are applying. Most employers want only as much information as needed to demonstrate that your skills and experience match the needs of the job description.

Be aware that some people will use the terms CV and resume interchangeably, which can be confusing. Outside the United States, employers may refer to all resume-like documents as CVs. Make sure you know what kind of document is expected, and ask if necessary.

If you need help creating a CV please make an appointment with a member of the CALS Career Advising Team.

What kind of jobs do I qualify for with my major?expand_more

Your major can help open up a variety of career opportunities. To understand what types of careers are available to you, it is strongly recommended that you conduct industry and company research and gain practical experience either through volunteer, research, or internship experience. A Career Services Advisor can assist you with career exploration and developing a career plan that integrates the education you gain at CALS.

Where can I learn about undergraduate research opportunities?expand_more

The research finding process can be daunting, but with a bit of introspection and some internet searching, you will be on your way. When looking at a particular research area, try asking yourself, “How does this field fit with my major/career?”, “What about this field aligns with my interests?”, or “Why is this field better for me than another?”. This stage in the process is also a great time to discuss your interests with family, friends, and advisors. Those who know you well may illuminate interests you have difficulty identifying. After narrowing your research interests, you may be wondering where to find researchers in these fields.

Here is a great list to start looking:

*Check out WISCIENCE for more information and tips

How do I negotiate the salary in my job offer?expand_more

You can ask your employer if they’re willing to negotiate the salary offered. If they are, be ready with the amount you want and reason you should receive that amount. A career advisor can provide you with industry-related rate and can help you learn the language to ask for a match to other salaries you’ve received.