UWF sets graduates up for career success

As the University of West Florida recognizes National Workforce Development Day on Sept. 17, 2026, students across academic disciplines are reflecting on the opportunities the University has provided to help kick-start their careers. Whether through conversations with employers at career fairs, guidance from career advisors, internship opportunities made possible through industry partnerships or paid, part-time student employment offered through UWF Talent Catalyst, Amplified by Landrum, UWF students are building professional skills, making industry connections and, in many cases, securing full-time employment upon graduation. 

“Preparing students for the workforce means giving them opportunities to explore careers, build confidence and develop the skills employers are looking for before they graduate,” said Lindsey Walk, senior director of UWF Career Development and Community Engagement, or CDCE. “Internships are especially valuable because they allow students to put those skills into practice, gain meaningful professional experience and begin building the relationships that can open the door to future employment.”

In her freshman year at UWF, Isabell “Izzy” Laws attended one of the many career fairs held during each semester, not expecting that she would meet her future employer. While at the event, Laws connected with a recruiter from Enterprise Mobility, a leading global provider of mobility solutions. This connection eventually led to an internship, where Laws received two regional awards: All Around Intern and Body Shop Expansion Champion. Following her internship, Laws was offered a position with Enterprise Mobility and currently works as a management trainee while she finishes her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business.

“My internship with Enterprise Mobility gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned at UWF in a real-world business environment while developing my leadership and management skills,” Laws said. “The experience ultimately led to the opportunity to continue with Enterprise as a management trainee, and I’m incredibly grateful for the growth, relationships and opportunities the internship provided.”

From the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, Guerin Farley is a senior studying information technology. As a non-traditional student pursuing a new career path, Farley approached the CDCE for advice on how to best translate over a decade’s worth of experience in the entertainment industry into IT and cybersecurity internships. Heather Seitz, a senior coordinator in the CDCE, helped Farley reframe his experience as transferable skills, creating a competitive resume that helped him land a summer internship in Chicago as a Technical Account Manager at digital identity and security company Okta.

“Receiving that offer letter was a full-circle moment,” said Farley. “I came back to school mid-career with a lot to prove, and seeing that hard work validated in the form of a competitive offer from a company like Okta made every late night worth it.” 

Senior social work student Anthony “Scott” Burke spent the past summer interning with Whistleblowers of America in Washington, D.C., an opportunity he was connected with through UWF CDCE’s longstanding partnership with The Washington Center. During the internship, the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health student put his education into practice while developing skills in communication, networking and professionalism. Burke met with clients, worked on non-profit donor management, attended congressional hearings, researched whistleblower law and worked to develop and implement strategies that ensure the non-profit’s sustainability. 

“My experience with my internship at Whistleblowers of America was, without hyperbole, life-changing,” said Burke. “I got to do so many amazing things that would have never been possible without this internship. The experiences I had in Washington, D.C., shaped my future more than I could have ever thought possible.”   

Jenna Banta joined the UWF Talent Catalyst program her senior year. In addition to the technical and soft skills taught by the program, Banta also was able to gain hands-on, part-time, paid work experience directly related to her career goals through an internship with staffing company Landrum Workforce Solutions. After graduating in spring 2026 with a B.S. in General Business and Supply Chain Logistics Management, Banta accepted a full-time position as a marketing coordinator with Landrum Workforce Solutions. In this role, she combines strategic communication, creative content development, event coordination and data-driven marketing to help strengthen Landrum’s brand and engagement across the communities it serves.

“My internship with Landrum gave me the opportunity to gain real-world PR and marketing experience while still completing my degree at UWF,” said Banta. “The projects, mentorship and professional development opportunities helped me build confidence in my skills and prepare for a successful transition into a full-time career. I’m incredibly grateful that the experience led to a full-time role where I can continue growing and making an impact.”

Laws, Farley, Burke and Banta are just four examples of how the University of West Florida guides students toward workforce development opportunities and produces confident graduates ready to enter the workforce and make an impact from day one. 

For more information on Career Development and Community Engagement, visit uwf.edu/Career. For more information on the Office of Workforce Development, visit uwf.edu/WorkforceDevelopment.