KU Business programs, courses prepare career-ready graduates
Each year, the KU School of Business not only helps soon-to-be graduates find full-time jobs. It prepares students to embark on fulfilling careers.
The school and university participate in a nationwide survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which reported that 89% of 2023–24 bachelor’s degree graduates were employed six months after graduating. The school strongly focuses on career placement and provides resources like on-campus interviews and mock interviews and career fairs to support students’ job searches.
Grant Ayers, a senior business analytics major and applied behavioral science minor from Shawnee, Kansas, is graduating this May. Ayers secured a role as an information systems analyst at T-Mobile at its Overland Park campus. As an information systems analyst, he will work in the finance department analyzing different situations and forms of data on various projects. To land the position at T-Mobile, Ayers leveraged KU’s career resources, particularly the EY Business Professional Development Program and Kim Mueller, senior career advisor and KU Business Mentoring Program coordinator.
“Kim Mueller was a big help in building my resume, helping me prepare for the interview, and was one of the people who recommended me for T-Mobile,” Ayers said. “Career advising is a huge thing here at KU that people should absolutely take advantage of to go over anything, like interviews or to see what opportunities are available. Have constant meetings with them.”
Ayers encourages his fellow students to participate in case competitions, something he wishes he had done more. These competitions provide students with real-world experiences and help them stand out to employers. Ayers believes they offer valuable insight into what a job may entail while showcasing skills such as tackling open-ended challenges.
Reflecting on what helped him stand out as a candidate, he recognizes his unique experiences set him apart. Ayers served as the coach for Lawrence High School boys’ soccer C-team and goalkeepers last fall. This is an experience he is continuing this spring with the girls’ C-team. With half the players not speaking English, Ayers had to navigate a language barrier, demonstrating his ability to adapt and problem-solve in challenging situations.
“At the end of the day, everyone has the skills, but what made me different was my background,” Ayers said. “I have had unique experiences that others are not able to say they have had, and I think that is one of the strongest things someone can say in an interview.”
Kenna Dehn, a Gardner, Kansas, native, graduated from KU in December 2024 with a degree in marketing after transferring from Johnson County Community College as a junior. She now works for Cedar Valley Forest, a wedding venue in De Soto, Kansas, as a sales and marketing director.
In her role, Dehn manages all venue bookings and wedding coordination, leads tours for potential clients, and creates content for the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages. She began her full-time position in May 2024 after she initially heard about the job through Instagram.
During her time as a student, Dehn frequently visited the EY Business Professional Development Program office, working closely with Stephanie Schmitz, assistant director. She also served as a teaching assistant for Schmitz’s BUS 210 Career Management and Planning course in fall 2023.
“In that class, you really build up your resume,” Dehn said. “It gave me a lot of good knowledge on how to individually tailor my resume for each job I was applying for.”
Student resources like the EY Business Professional Development Program played a significant role in her job search, and Dehn recommends everyone take advantage of them. Having someone to review resumes and offer guidance on interview preparation can make a big difference.
Dehn also credits her business coursework for preparing her well for her current job responsibilities, especially when it comes to social media. She highlighted the impact of a social media marketing course taught by Kelly Crane, lecturer and marketing area industry mentor. Dehn felt that the class pushed her to levels she did not realize she could be pushed to with social media
“She encouraged us to look further than just surface level,” Dehn said. “Everyone is so chronically online now that being shown how to dive deeper and use the tools to our advantage, such as how to properly use ChatGPT, and having to analyze our own social presence gave me more confidence.”
She was also a T.A. for MKTG 471 Sports Marketing in the spring 2024, which she feels boosted her confidence when speaking with professionals. As a T.A., she coordinated with representatives from venues the class planned to tour, such as Sporting KC, Kansas City’s Major League Soccer team. She had to reach out to the people working at venues the class planned on touring, like Children’s Mercy Park. That experience helped her feel more comfortable engaging with higher professionals after graduation.
While KU’s resources were a notable factor in helping her land her job, Dehn also thinks it is important for students to understand the importance of being there for one another, as graduation and the thought of post-grad life can be stressful.
“Lean on each other,” Dehn said. “If one person is struggling to find an internship or a job, most likely other people are too, so be there for each other and use the student resources.”
Learn more about the EY Business Professional Development Program and its resources at business.ku.edu/professionalism.
By Grace Ludes
