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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Just think about what a life-changing experience this is. A boy grew up in backwoods Virginia, working on a chicken farm. Nobody in his family had ever graduated from high school until he decided to go to college.
The whole time he was at Neumont University, his mom begged him to come back and work on the farm. However, he persisted and graduated. Following graduation, one of the top defense companies in Washington, D.C. hired him. Not only did he change his life, but he also inspired his younger sisters to follow his example.
These are the kinds of stories the folks at Neumont University in South Jordan see every day. This university is tapping into Utah's thriving technology industry, which by the way, employs 140,000 people and pays salaries almost 85 percent above the state average. Neumont is bringing talent into the state since 70 percent of their students aren't from here, and 30 percent end up staying in Utah after graduation.
Students attend this accredited university for the accelerated graduation time — you can complete your bachelor's degree in just two and an half years — the project-based learning and Neumont's ability to teach the newest technology. 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. Just a short time ago, Neumont students developed an employee management system for IBM.
Information technology is one of the few recession-proof businesses because while many other industries are struggling, IT is thriving. They sometimes have a hard time finding qualified applicants for available jobs. Faculty and staff often refer to Neumont programs as 10-week job interviews. Since students work on live projects for companies during their time at the university, they make important contacts within the company and, many times, get hired after graduation.
Neumont University is on a roll right now, going on six quarters straight of 100 percent placement after graduation. These are great jobs we're talking about with an average salary of $60,000 per year.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Neumont University 10701 S. River Front Pkwy. South Jordan, UT 84095 801-302-2815 www.neumont.edu
