Colleges in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Career Opportunities: Where Do You Fit In?

Wisconsin's Diverse Economy Experts are projecting steady economic growth in Wisconsin over the next few years, including rising incomes and job growth. Cities like Madison and Milwaukee are also growing steadily, offering Wisconsin students more job opportunities than ever before. In fact, CNN's Money Magazine listed Madison and Appleton, Wisconsin in the top 100 best places to live last year. If you're looking for a hot career in Wisconsin be ready for some competition -- the best jobs will go to those with at least a bachelor's degree.

Finding the Right Career Choosing a career path is an intensely personal decision and only you can decide where you fit in. If you're not certain about the direction you want to take in your career, consider your personal interests. If you enjoy working closely with people and like a fast-paced work environment you might find a career in advertising rewarding. If you like crunching numbers and have great attention to detail then a job in business or finance might be the best path for you to take. For many professional careers you'll need a bachelor's degree in order to meet minimum requirements. For example, in finance a bachelor's is often the minimum requirement for entry-level positions.

The Value of an MBA If you have a taste for business and are already employed but want to rise to the next level in your career, you might need to think about going back to school for a graduate degree. If you're not sure of the best academic path to propel you in your career, consider an MBA as the next step. Whether you're in sales, HR administration, or banking, an MBA provides a wide range of business skills that employers value highly. Many senior positions in today's organizations require a master's degree or extensive graduate-level training and an MBA could help you get to that next rung in your corporate ladder.

Do you want to go to college in Wisconsin? There are a number of great colleges in Wisconsin located in every part of the state. There are many state universities all connected to each other, and a system of technical colleges usually located in towns that don't have major universities. From Superior to the North, Stout to the West, Madison and Milwaukee to the South, and Appleton to the east, you'll find a school that is relatively close to you.

If you have to work full time, or you live in a pretty rural part of Wisconsin, you may want to look at enrolling in an online Wisconsin college degree program. Although there are good schools throughout the state, there are a lot of small towns that make a regular commute a bit frustrating, especially if you're trying to go to school after putting in a full day's work. Many colleges in Wisconsin offer distance learning classes for these people that are specifically designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Classes are designed to be accessible by online students at any time of the day, and instructors tend to give ample time for students to complete their homework. If you want to get an online degree, look at some of Wisconsin's offering on the Internet.

A Little About Wisconsin

Citizens of Wisconsin are referred to as Wisconsinites, although a common nickname (sometimes used pejoratively) among non-residents is "Cheeseheads," due to the prevalence and quality of cheesemaking in the state. Though the state is known for having cows, the once coveted title of top milk producer no longer belongs to the state; the position of top milk producer is now held by California. However, Wisconsin still produces more milk per capita than any other state in the Union.

Wisconsin's history is closely tied with the Native American tribes that were in the area long before the first European explorers and settlers. Tribes included the Algonquian-speaking Menominee, Kickapoo, Miami, the Siouan-speaking Winnebago, Dakota (or Sioux) and Iowa. In the mid-1600's other groups entered Wisconsin, including the Fox, Sac, Potawatomi and Ojibewa (Chippewa). Today Wisconsin has more reservations than any other state east of the Mississippi River.

Although the exact etymology of the name is uncertain, "Wisconsin" is thought to be an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian word from The Ojibwe tribe, meaning "Red-stone place," which then was recorded as Ouisconsin by the French, and changed to its current form by the English. Other theories are that the name comes from words meaning "Gathering of the Waters" or "Great Rock."

Outdoor recreation and adventure is a main draw for out-of-state visitors. The northern woods of Wisconsin provide for wonderful hiking and horseback riding. There are over 15,000 lakes in the north that are perfect for fishing, swimming, and boating. The woods are also plentiful with wildlife, making hunting a popular sport.