UWM Student Lands Dream Job Before Graduation

Uday Sanem landed his dream job at Johnson Controls before even walking across the graduation stage at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His secret wasn't just good grades—it was the hands-on experience he gained working on campus.

Sanem worked for UWM's University Housing department while pursuing his master's degree in IT management. Unlike typical student jobs, his role gave him real responsibilities managing systems, supporting users, and coordinating projects that mirrored what he'd do in the corporate world.

The campus position became a safe space to learn and grow. He could tackle complex technical challenges where mistakes became lessons instead of career disasters, building skills progressively from basic tasks to advanced problem-solving.

But the technical experience was only part of his success story. Mentorship from campus supervisors made the crucial difference, helping him understand how to translate technical skills into business value—something classrooms often miss.

His mentors guided him beyond IT knowledge into professional skills like communication, stakeholder management, and navigating organizational dynamics. They bridged the gap between academic requirements and workplace expectations, helping Sanem develop a professional identity that caught corporate attention.

Johnson Controls recognized what many employers are starting to value: sustained, proven performance over time. Sanem's campus work history showed he could manage real systems with actual users depending on him—proof that academic credentials alone can't provide.

The Ripple Effect

UWM's approach represents a shift happening across higher education. Universities are transforming student employment from financial aid necessity into strategic career development, creating training grounds that rival traditional internships.

The model addresses a persistent challenge for employers: the gap between academic knowledge and workplace capability. By giving students meaningful responsibility in campus operations, schools can produce graduates who need minimal onboarding and deliver value from day one.

This isn't just about one student's success—it's a scalable solution as tech companies face talent shortages and universities focus on employment outcomes. When campus jobs become career incubators, everyone wins: students gain experience, employers find ready talent, and universities strengthen their mission.

Sanem's story proves that the path to career success doesn't always require looking outside campus walls—sometimes the best opportunities are right where you're already studying.