The UA was recently named one of the best colleges at producing employable students.

In a survey published by a French consulting group, RH Emerging, the UA was No. 124 on the list of the world’s top employable universities. The survey asked employers what factors they considered when employing university graduates, to which the most common responses in the U.S. were past experience, rankings and quality of staff and research facilities.

The UA provides many resources for students to find jobs in their field after graduation.

One of those resources, Wildcat JobLink, is the biggest tool UA Career Services has to offer, said Jacob Brainerd, a junior studying English and a student ambassador representing the College of Humanities.

“It helps students find jobs, internships and apply for graduate school,” Brainerd said.

Another resource the Career Services website offers are ideas for what to do with your degree and a resume-builder for students and recent graduates.

Kasey Urquidez, associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of undergraduate admission, said UA Career Services helps connect students to employers.

“I think that our Career Services does a great job about developing relationships with companies,” Urquidez said. “When employers come to Tucson, they really believe we have a lot to offer.”

Interning, working or conducting research alongside professionals is what gives students the experience they need to impress future employers, said Eileen McGarry, director of UA Career Services.

“Our students tend to get very engaged,” McGarry said. “From the moment they step foot on campus, we talk a lot about the importance of getting involved.”

Alexis Chavez, who graduated in December 2012 with a degree in sociology, said she took advantages such as these while she was at the UA. Chavez completed a paid internship as an undergraduate and found a job through the UA Job Fair after graduation. Chavez said she appreciated the help extended to her and feels the UA provides adequate opportunities.

“It did a lot to prepare me for the real world,” she said. “I really think that UA did a great job.”

Brainerd said he uses the resources provided by Career Services and encourages other students to do the same.

“I try to reach students to talk about what Career Services does and what we have to offer,” Brainerd said. “I didn’t know anything about Career Services before, and the amount of resources they have to offer students is practically never-ending.”

McGarry said UA students are surveyed every year about what they’re looking for in the job market.

“Our students stand out above the national average for wanting innovative, challenging work,” McGarry said. “More and more employers want that; they want innovators with energy.”

– Follow Gabrielle Fernety @dailywildcat