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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
In talking to the president of Neumont University, Ned Levine, life-changing success stories of his graduates are what keeps him motivated as an educator. One of his young students couldn't afford to go to school. He actually arrived at Neumont on a bicycle.
The student interviewed Ned to make sure Neumont was the right fit, attended for a year and then went on a two-year LDS mission. After he returned he got right back into the program and finished within two years before many of his peers were even halfway done. He ended up with a great tech job in Utah. Ned will tell you these stories happen over and over again.
Neumont University in Salt Lake City is serving Utah's thriving technology industry, which, as an industry, employs 140,000 people and pays salaries 85 percent above the state average. Neumont is recruiting talent into the state since 80 percent of their students aren't from here, and, by the way, 40 percent end up staying in Utah after graduation to live and work.
Students attend this accredited university for the accelerated graduation time — you can complete your bachelor's degree in around three years — the project-based learning and Neumont's ability to teach the newest technology because they're closely connected to tech companies across the U.S. Curriculum is developed based upon what's happening in the industry. Companies contact the university to have their students complete projects for issues happening right now, which provides real-world experience.
Information technology is one of the few recession-proof businesses because while many other industries are struggling, IT is thriving. That's why 97 percent of their grads are employed just after graduation. Since students work on live projects for companies while at school, they make important contacts within the company and, many times, get hired after graduation.
Neumont University is on a roll right now, with graduates taking jobs with companies like Google, Amazon, Yahoo and Towers Watson. These are great jobs we're talking about with an average salary of $63,000 per year.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Neumont University 143 S Main St. Salt Lake City, UT 84111 888-638-6668; www.neumont.edu
