DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas Career Center is helping students make the leap from classroom learning to real-world professional experiences. By providing access to internships, career coaching and employer connections, the UNT Career Center empowers students to build the skills and networks necessary for success after graduation.

The Career Center serves as a cornerstone for students seeking internship opportunities. From résumé workshops to mock interviews, it offers comprehensive support to help students gain the skills necessary to pursue internships and secure employment.

Manny Hernandez, a UNT senior majoring in business computer information systems, spent the summer of 2024 as a business analyst intern at PepsiCo. His experience gave him the opportunity to collaborate with experts, contribute to data and AI projects and work closely with teams to ensure the accuracy and quality of database entries. The internship not only strengthened his professional skills, but also expanded his network.

"The UNT Career Center offered excellent resources that helped me discover and pursue these opportunities," Hernandez said. "I'm excited to share that I've been offered a full-time position with PepsiCo after graduation."

Internships also help students refine their career goals. For Ashlyn McMullen, a senior studying human resource management, the Career Center guided her to discover her ideal path. Her first internship provided insights into corporate and manufacturing sectors, but her second experience at Allied OMS, a private equity firm, shifted her focus to human resource systems and operations.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this type of role, but the hands-on experience allowed me to grow and develop a genuine interest in HR operations and systems,” McMullen said. “The internship gave me clarity, and I now feel confident that my career path aligns more closely with this experience.”

The Career Center plays an integral role in preparing UNT students for post-graduation success. From 2023 to 2024, career coaches conducted over 14,000 advising appointments and hosted 820 career workshops, ensuring that students had the tools to excel in their professional journeys.

Each year, nearly 1,000 companies recruit on campus, including over 80 Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, AT&T, Bank of America, GM Financial, Lockheed Martin, PepsiCo and Wells Fargo. These partnerships with top employers provide UNT students valuable networking opportunities, internships and mentorship programs that align with industry needs.

“Our partnerships with local businesses play a vital role in preparing students for success after graduation,” said Eileen Buecher, assistant vice president of student affairs and career success at UNT. “By collaborating with employers in North Texas, we ensure that our students have access to hands-on workforce training, internships and mentorship opportunities that align with industry needs. These partnerships not only strengthen the talent pipeline, but also empower students to transition seamlessly from education to employment.”