When Mariana Torres first stepped onto the campus of Arizona State University, she was stepping into uncharted territory — not just for herself but for her entire family. A first-generation Latina and the first in her family born in the U.S., Torres admits she felt completely lost at first.
“I didn’t know how to get an internship, how to network or even what it meant to navigate college,” she said. “Everything was overwhelming, exciting, intimidating, unfamiliar.”
Fast forward to today, and Torres, a W. P. Carey School of Business student, has not only found her footing but she’s thriving.
In addition to earning a long list of scholar awards, she’s carved out a future for herself through volunteer work and career development efforts. She’s held internships with Walmart and Google and has analyzed data for companies like Intel, Netflix and The Grammys.
“My network is my net worth,” Torres said. “I strongly feel that W. P. Carey unlocked that network for me. If I wasn’t at ASU, I would have not known about these opportunities.”
Students like Torres pursue higher education to sharpen their skills, deepen their knowledge and open doors to new career opportunities. And according to a global network of top employers and organizations, ASU is one of the best places to make that happen.
The newest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, or GEURS, again ranked ASU second among public U.S. universities for employable graduates — ahead of UCLA, the University of Michigan and Purdue. Among all U.S. institutions, ASU was ranked No. 14. Globally, the university is ranked No. 37, up from No. 41 last year.
“Our graduates are entering a workforce that values creativity, resilience and adaptability — skills that are relevant to all jobs and industries,” said Nancy Gonzales, ASU executive vice president and university provost. “At ASU, we are intentional about helping students build durable and AI-proof competencies through every part of their academic experience. This recognition reinforces that employers see ASU graduates as ready to take on complex challenges and lead change in their fields.”
GEURS stands out as the only ranking shaped entirely by the perspectives of international employers. First introduced in 2010, it is developed by Emerging, a leading consulting and polling institute, and published by Times Higher Education. Today, GEURS is recognized as the most trusted global benchmark for assessing graduate employability.
Each year, GEURS highlights the top 250 universities worldwide for producing career-ready graduates. The 2026 survey reveals a growing demand among employers for candidates who combine strong digital literacy with deep subject expertise. These skills are increasingly seen as essential for success in a rapidly evolving workforce.
This commitment aligns with the university’s focus on sustainability, engineering, data analytics, health care and digital media — areas that currently reflect current industry demands and address evolving global challenges. Employers consistently recognize ASU graduates for their ability to combine technical expertise with a global perspective and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Among the top employers of ASU graduates this year are Amazon, Intel, Banner Health, Deloitte, Honeywell, Boeing, Charles Schwab, PepsiCo, Honor Health and the federal government, according to ASU Career Services.
Joanne Vogel, vice president of student services with Educational Outreach and Student Services, emphasized that ASU’s strength lies in preparing students to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce.
“This ranking reflects ASU’s unparalleled support for students as they navigate their career journey,” Vogel said. “Beginning at first contact with students and continuing through graduation and beyond, we emphasize the importance of taking advantage of ASU’s broad range of resources whether in person or online.”
Vogel added that ASU students have access to state-of-the-art digital tools for career exploration, job market insights, resume review, interview preparation and credentialing, and they can participate in career fairs, faculty research, mentoring, student clubs focused on networking and career advancement, and internship opportunities.
“We strongly encourage students to engage in an internship to clarify their career aspirations and because employers are more likely to hire students with prior experience quicker and with higher pay,” Vogel said. “We are glad that employers worldwide agree that our students are well prepared for the next phase of their lives and add tremendous value to their companies.”
One of the high-achieving students Vogel mentors is Sedra Shahin, a Barrett, The Honors College student who is on track to graduate in May 2026 with an impressive trio of degrees: business administration, business law, and public service and public policy.
A first-generation student born in Syria, Shahin grew up speaking Arabic. She moved to the U.S. at the age of 12, bringing with her resilience and determination that would define her college career.
While at ASU, Shahin immersed herself in internships that shaped her understanding of law, public service and business. At the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, she gained exposure to policy work and legal counsel, inspiring her business law focus. Her role as student body president provided firsthand experience in public service, and her internship at Wells Fargo introduced her to compliance and corporate ethics.
“Every major has a story,” she said, “and every experience shaped me into who I am today.”
Balancing academics with internships and leadership roles, Shahin also carved out time to plan for her future. She has secured a full-time position with Wells Fargo as a control management analyst, which she describes as “an insane relief” amid the pressures her peers face in the job search. Even with a busy schedule, she is already contemplating graduate school, considering either a master’s degree in legal studies or public administration.
ASU faculty and staff say helping students connect their education to meaningful work has always been a core part of what they do.
“At the College of Global Futures, we’re focused on making sure students graduate with the hard skills employers need today — data literacy, systems thinking and collaborative problem-solving — while also preparing them to lead in the careers that are just beginning to take shape,” said Kate Eaton, associate dean for students and academic innovation for the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. “Whether they’re advancing sustainable energy solutions, shaping ethical uses of AI or designing more resilient communities, we want our students to have the tools and confidence to make an impact now and to adapt as the world continues to evolve.”
Detra Montoya said she spends a significant about of her time helping students prepare for successful careers by connecting them directly with industry professionals.
“I actively forge relationships with companies to create meaningful opportunities for students, from inviting guest speakers and facilitating live company projects to organizing career fairs and sales competitions where students can showcase their skills and network with potential employers,” said Montoya, a clinical professor in the Department of Marketing at the W. P. Carey School of Business.
In addition to matching students with employers, Montoya said her department is dedicated to preparing students for the job market through soft skill development and by providing networking opportunities with industry professionals.
“I truly value working at a university that prioritizes career readiness and supports our efforts to prepare students for success beyond graduation,” Montoya said.
– more at azbigmedia.com
