Dakota State University students walking around campus

Rise with us

DSU is a place where innovation meets opportunity. We are a nationally recognized leader in technology-driven education, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With hands-on learning experiences, expert faculty, and cutting-edge facilities, we prepare you for modern careers. Choose from a wide range of affordable, forward-thinking programs that allow you to shape your own path. Your future begins today.

Majors & Degrees

About Us

Ready for that dream job?

Across the division of student affairs at DSU, you will find a commitment to individualized attention. In the Career and Professional Development office, you can see this commitment through our career advisors who work with specific colleges, departments, and majors. The Career Advisors work closely with their academic departments to develop a level of expertise to help you embark on your academic and professional journey.

We can help.

The Career Advisors are available to meet with you from the first day you begin at DSU to the last day you are here, and even beyond when you are an alumnus. We will help you to develop your career path from choosing a major, writing a resume, and learning how to interview and network. We hope that you will find your career passion by experimenting with summer internships, research opportunities, and campus organizations/clubs.

Mission Statement

We support DSU's mission by providing personalized and innovative career education and opportunities that equip and empower students and alumni to realize their potential, achieve their goals, make informed career decisions, and gain lifelong career management skills upon which to contribute to a global and dynamic world.

Values

  • Technological Advancement - Keeping pace with trends and enhancing student resources with technology.
  • Connections & Collaborations - Partner with internal and external stakeholders to create opportunities for students.
  • Continuous Learning - We think critically and strategically in search of the best answers and approaches and reflect on past experiences and data to guide our actions for the future in our commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Professionalism - We believe in demonstrating high-quality standards through professional behavior.
  • Sustainability - We believe continuous improvement is key to effective, efficient, and innovative service.

Student employee of the month

headshot of student paige phinney

March 2026 - Paige Phinney

Paige is a Graduate Assistant for SecureSD and a CybHER Leader and is majoring in the Master of Science program for Cyber Defense. Paige was nominated by Ashley Podhradsky, Vice President of Research & Economic Development.

“Paige Phinney is a self-starter who consistently brings energy, maturity, and positivity to everything she takes on. Her leadership within CybHER and our summer camp programs has been exceptional. She not only delivers high-quality content to students of all ages, but she does so with an attitude that is truly contagious — she is the person who walks into a room with a smile and immediately puts others at ease. Paige excels at working with younger students, particularly during CybHER and GenCyber summer camps, where she models confidence, professionalism, and kindness. She steps up naturally when working with less experienced peers and is skilled at guiding and supporting them in a way that builds them up, not just directs them. From curriculum development to program delivery and daily camp leadership, she consistently performs at a high level and represents DSU with pride. Her strong work ethic, reliability, and diplomacy make her an invaluable part of our outreach team. Paige is an emerging young professional with a very bright future, and we are fortunate to have her representing DSU and our mission to empower the next generation of cyber leaders.” - Ashley Podhradsky

Former student employee of the month nominations

headshot of student aston carder

“Aston Carder has been a huge asset to DSU Athletics through his work as an Athletics Photographer. He is constantly looking for ways to help out, whether that means jumping in to take recruit visit photos, covering games, or turning around high-quality shots quickly and reliably for social media. No matter how busy things get, Aston delivers prompt, professional work that makes a real difference for our teams, our recruits, and our athletics programs. What really makes Aston stand out is the energy he brings to every assignment. He has a goofy, joyful attitude and plenty of quirks that make working with him fun, but behind that is an artistic eye that elevates DSU’s athletic storytelling. His unique perspective has had a positive impact on how we showcase our athletes and programs. Aston’s mix of creativity, enthusiasm, and consistent dependability makes him truly deserving of Student-Employee of the Month.” - Aidan DeBoer

headshot of student, addison nipper

"I am pleased to nominate Senior Resident Assistant Addison Nipper for this recognition. From my very first interaction with him, Addison has consistently demonstrated exceptional communication, a commitment to ongoing learning, and a dedication to improving every aspect of his work. Addison is the type of student leader who makes the work of those around him easier and more meaningful. He is always the first to step in when support is needed—whether assisting Residence Hall Directors, guiding a Resident Assistant seeking advice, or helping a first-year student navigate to a new environment. His reliability and presence extend far beyond his job description; he shows up for his community in every sense. His empathy, his willingness to support others, and his remarkable work ethic are qualities that are inherent to who he is. I am sincerely grateful to have the opportunity to work with him." - Madison Miller

headshot of student, peyton pulford

“Peyton Pulford has been a valuable asset to the Production Center. She consistently demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards. Peyton is deeply committed to both the quality of the work produced and the satisfaction of our customers. Her ability to balance efficiency with precision has greatly contributed to the overall success of the team. In addition, her professionalism and dedication make her a reliable colleague who can be counted on to go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results.” – Jena Martin

headshot of student riley wermers

“Riley is one of those rare student workers who goes above and beyond every single day. He shows up early, stays late if needed, and never once complains. In fact, he is always the first to ask if there’s more he can do or something new he can learn. Riley takes on challenges with a great attitude, whether it’s troubleshooting a tricky laptop issue, rewiring a classroom, or simply moving heavy equipment around campus.  What makes Riley stand out is not just his reliability, but the way he approaches his work. He follows directions carefully, respects procedures, and at the same time uses his own initiative to figure out problems as they arise.  Our entire team knows we can count on him, no matter what the task is. His hard work, positive spirit, and willingness to help have made a huge impact on our office, and I know things wouldn't run as smoothly without him.” - Tess Baker

headshot of student, mike foster

"I am pleased to nominate Mike Foster for Student Employee of the Month. Mike is a dedicated member of the Academic Support Team who is always friendly, approachable, and willing to ensure students feel welcomed and supported. He has been in this role for more than 1 year and we truly appreciate him and the support he offers. As a peer advisor, Mike plays a vital role in helping students navigate their time at DSU. His ability to make students feel comfortable in our space and help them get what they need is exactly the kind of reason we need in this role on our campus. Mike’s dependable work ethic, authentic care, and commitment to showing up and excelling make him an outstanding candidate for this recognition." - Kristen Uilk

Student employee spotlight

headshot of student employee Oliviyah Thornton

 

Oliviyah Thornton - Career Services Assistant

As a Career Services Assistant, Oliviyah supports daily office operations, connects students with campus resources, and assists with events such as career fairs and workshops. She also utilizes Handshake, supports social media outreach, and contributes to end-of-year reporting while promoting Career Services’ mission of preparing students for professional success.

Contact Us

Career and Professional Development Office
(605) 256-5122
Email