FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

In the latest addition of College Connection, we take you to the University of Minnesota Duluth, where students are finding jobs even before graduation day.

"I couldn't be more impressed with everything they've brought to me both through class and through my research," said Kyle Berg, 24, a UMD engineering student.

Berg is a recent graduate and said he's not having any problem finding a job.

"I'll be basically designing skyscrapers -- the exterior of it basically in some major city in the U.S.," Berg said.

Berg credits his success to his dedicated professors and the Civil Engineering Department's state-of-the-art building.

"I'm able to apply what I learned here to what my new job will be, and they will train me when I get there. But this really is the founding of what I'm going to have to do in the future."

Philip Koktan, 22, also said he had a job lined up and ready to go.

"We have such a wonderful program that it really -- our cause work is tailored a way that makes us very attractive to employers," Koktan said.

Koktan is accepting a structural engineering position for a company in the Twin Cities.
He said the civil engineering program at UMD prepared him for success.

"We've got a brand new building, brand new equipment. I couldn't have asked for anything more than I got right now," Koktan said.

The trend of UMD students finding jobs goes beyond engineering.
Nick Vandenplas, 22, a business and economics student, said he and every graduate in his department are landing gigs right out of college.

"They were so impressed with me and the kills that I have acquired here that they offered me the job in January. So I've been stress free for the past five months," said Vandenplas.

It's a tough job market after a downward economy, but possibly a tough job market because Northland graduates are getting all the jobs.