On a bright afternoon in early April—just weeks before this spring’s commencement ceremony—the hum of creative energy was unmistakable as University of Alabama at Birmingham students stepped inside Bash, a Vestavia Hills–based advertising agency. For students in the Advanced Graphic Design course in UAB’s Department of Art and Art History, the visit offered a glimpse beyond the classroom and into the fast-paced, collaborative industry they are preparing to enter.
The tour included a visit to the agency’s recording studio, a hands-on introduction to Pantone printing color swatches, and an engaging question-and-answer session with Bash’s CEO and creative director. It was one of several immersive experiences arranged by Ryan Meyer, assistant professor in the department, who has made connecting coursework to career pathways a priority. Throughout the semester, Meyer has led students into agencies and production facilities across the city, offering firsthand exposure to real-world creative environments.
More than a field trip, each visit serves as an opportunity for students to ask questions, make connections, and envision themselves as professionals working alongside those already established in their fields.
“I’ve been learning a lot about the business aspects of graphic design and learning about freelancing: how to manage projects, how to manage contracts, the financial aspect of it, how to market yourself in order to get more jobs,” said Mia Stowe, a senior in the program. “You can take all this information and implement it into your own practice and business.”
She added, “Really, the only way to do that is to tour these agencies, so I’m glad that UAB has given us this opportunity. It’s not something you get to experience in undergrad all the time.”
This kind of hands-on preparation reflects a broader focus across the College of Arts and Sciences, where career readiness and workforce development are increasingly embedded into academic programs. CAS is updating and introducing courses and curricula designed to better align with the needs of today’s employers, while maintaining a strong foundation in the liberal arts.
Research continues to show that liberal arts degrees equip students with durable, in-demand skills, such as teamwork, communication, writing, and problem solving, that translate across industries and remain critical to getting hired. These broadly applicable skills form the foundation for specialized academic offerings that connect to concrete professional outcomes.
Beginning this fall, the Department of Mathematics will launch and reintroduce two courses, MA 4/585 Probability and MA 4/582 Theory of Interest, respectively, designed to support students pursuing actuarial licensure. Actuarial science offers a structured and highly lucrative career path, with opportunities across insurance, finance, healthcare, and consulting. These courses equip students with foundational skills needed to prepare for professional exams, strengthen financial literacy, and apply mathematical theory to real-life financial contexts.
“The new course, Theory of Interest, is designed to serve students interested in the actuarial profession, providing them with the mathematical tools needed to analyze and value common financial products, while preparing them specifically for the preliminary actuarial test,” said Atanas Stefanov, Ph.D., professor in the department.
“Complementing this, the redesigned Probability course further supports students on their actuarial journey by preparing them for the first actuarial exam. Together, these courses offer a rigorous, yet accessible, pathway for students aiming to pursue a career in actuarial science or seeking a deeper understanding of financial mathematics.”
With alumni already working at Regions Bank, First Horizon Bank, and actuarial firms, this targeted preparation is delivering results and positioning students for success in a competitive and high-demand field.
Career readiness is also central to the Public Relations program in the Department of Communication Studies. Under the leadership of Jacqueline Shaia, Ph.D., a lawyer and former Alabama Power executive, workforce development is intentionally woven throughout the curriculum. Students engage with industry guest speakers, complete professional deliverables and certifications that align with agency and corporate expectations, and receive training in business etiquette and soft skills essential for client-facing roles.
These experiences culminate in a capstone course where students work with real clients to conduct research, develop communication strategies, execute tactics, and collaborate as an agency style team to mirror professional practice and expectations.
“The PR program at UAB has taught me how to be professional and prepared,” said Katie Steele, a senior Communication Studies major and intern in UAB’s Central Marketing and Communications Office. “The classes here are very personalized, and that aspect has helped me learn valuable skills that have translated seamlessly into my time as a PR intern and will continue to be useful as I enter the field.”
But the College’s commitment to workforce development extends well beyond individual programs and classroom experiences. This past semester, CAS, in partnership with the UAB Career Center and the National Association of Colleges and Employers, hosted the inaugural Fundamental Fellows UAB cohort. Through a series of targeted workshops, faculty and staff focused on strengthening how students articulate the value of their academic and co‑curricular experiences—helping them translate learning into purposeful career decisions and further embedding career readiness throughout the UAB experience.
These efforts are producing measurable outcomes. According to the UAB Career Center, 84 percent of CAS graduates from the past several years were employed or pursuing further education, a milestone the College continues to build upon.
Just as significant is CAS’s impact on Alabama’s workforce. Seventy percent of recent CAS graduates choose to remain in the state, applying their skills in local industries, schools, nonprofits, and communities. By retaining top talent and supporting economic and civic growth close to home, the College helps ensure graduates are not only finding success but also making a lasting difference across Alabama.
For the graphic design students, that preparation comes full circle on another bright spring afternoon as they participate in a portfolio review. Bringing together students from UAB and other local colleges, the review invites creative directors, design studio owners, and other professionals to critique student work and engage directly with emerging talent.
Designed as both an educational and recruitment event, the review allows professionals to put faces to portfolios, hear students explain their creative processes, and form connections that have historically led to internships and job opportunities—offering one final step in the transition from classroom to career.
In the College of Arts and Sciences, our mission is to ensure that each student leaves UAB with the knowledge and tools to succeed in an expanding and increasingly connected world.
