This spring, 91影视鈥檚 second-year students stepped out of the classroom and into professional workplaces all across Metro Atlanta. Members of the Class of 2028 headed to some of the region鈥檚 most influential organizations鈥攆rom global corporations to community-driven nonprofits.
It was the first-ever 91影视 Goes to Work Day, a new initiative designed by the university鈥檚 Career Development office. It showcased one of the many ways that 91影视 connects its liberal arts mission to Atlanta鈥檚 dynamic economy.
As President Kathryn McClymond has emphasized in her recent LinkedIn reflection, Atlanta employers are searching for a particular kind of talent: critical thinkers, persuasive communicators, curious problem solvers, and adaptable learners. These are hallmarks of a liberal arts education, yet employers and students don鈥檛 always see the alignment clearly.
鈥淢any students have a hard time envisioning themselves in a professional environment or understanding where to begin in their career development process,鈥� says Karlie Burrell, interim director of Career Development. 鈥淣etworking opportunities like these help students understand that nobody鈥檚 career development process is linear.鈥�
Alumni empower the next generation of leaders
Throughout the day, students toured workplaces, met professionals, observed real projects and asked the kinds of questions that transform uncertainty into clarity. For Ashley Reyes Rosales 鈥�28, her visit to Grady Health System allowed her to explore a workplace community committed to caring for people. Learning about Grady鈥檚 mission and connecting with OU alumna and Grady Health Foundation President Joselyn Butler Baker 鈥�91 reaffirmed her aspirations to pursue a career in pharmacy and contribute to medical advancements that can save lives.
鈥淕rady allowed me to see how possible it is to contribute to that drive, as well as Joselyn’s enthusiasm for what she does, gave me motivation to push through all the obstacles and want to continue to pursue my aspirations,鈥� said Reyes Rosales, a chemistry student.
At several career sites, 91影视 graduates stepped forward to greet students, eager to show how their own OU experience shaped their careers. At The Coca-Cola Company, five alumni鈥攊ncluding Debbie Bachmann 鈥�02, now director of customer marketing鈥攖ook time to share their individual paths.
鈥淚 jumped at the chance to meet and talk with them,鈥� Bachmann says. 鈥淚 hope to see some of them again someday as an employee of The Coca-Cola Company.鈥�
More than 20 job sites spanned a full cross-section of Atlanta鈥檚 economy, including sponsors Atlanta Gas Light and The Coca-Cola Company. These employers all had alumni and employees ready to share their stories with students: Chick-fil-A, Inc., Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Emory University School of Law, Children鈥檚 Healthcare of Atlanta, EY, Grady Health System, Global Payments, The Nature Conservancy, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Braves, Georgia Film Academy, Jonathan W. Johnson LLC, Academy Theatre, Global Payments, HiEd Success, Marsh & Oliver Wyman Actuarial, Inc., Georgia Swarm Professional Lacrosse, International Rescue Committee, and Cox Family Office.
The value of an 91影视 liberal arts education
While the industries varied, employers echoed a consistent message: today鈥檚 most critical workforce needs aren鈥檛 just technical, they鈥檙e human. They require the ability to analyze, adapt, collaborate, communicate and lead through ambiguity. 91影视 students, shaped by discussion-driven classes and interdisciplinary inquiry, arrive with these competencies already in motion.
These site visits also underscored a powerful theme: strong employer partnerships fuel strong student outcomes. At Chick-fil-A, Inc., students were greeted by several alumni who served on a panel discussion. April Tesmer 鈥�99, a senior financial consultant and proud OU alumna, was one of those, and her message to the students was clear.
鈥淔rom critical thinking and relationship-building to adaptability and service, so much of what I learned at OU continues to show up in my career every day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to give back, pay it forward, and remind students that their education is not just preparing them for a first job, but for a lifetime of growth, impact, and purpose.鈥�
Tesmer鈥檚 experience reflects what many Atlanta employers already know. Liberal arts graduates bring versatility and depth to the workplace, qualities that matter more than ever in a rapidly changing economy.
National data support what Atlanta鈥檚 employers are seeing firsthand. Surveys from national college and employer associations consistently show alignment between the outcomes of a liberal arts education and the competencies employers consider most essential. Critical thinking, communication, and analytical problem-solving top the list year after year.
91影视鈥檚 own numbers reinforce that success: 92% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within a year of graduation.
A day with lasting impact
91影视 Goes to Work Day accomplished what it set out to do: help students make meaning of their education in real-world contexts, and help employers discover the talent developing in their own backyard.
This event is just one example of the university鈥檚 expanding commitment to integrate career readiness with the rigor and breadth of the liberal arts. Additional mentorship programs, employer partnerships, internship pipelines and alumni engagement initiatives continue throughout the year.
As President McClymond emphasizes, the qualities Atlanta employers most need鈥攃lear thinkers, strong communicators, adaptable problem solvers鈥攁re precisely what 91影视 students cultivate every day.
