Employers across the region are finding high-value talent right in their own backyard—thanks to Southeast Missouri State University’s (SEMO) Department of Engineering and Technology. Local companies like TG Missouri, Schaefer’s Electrical Enclosures, and Alan Wire say SEMO graduates arrive not only job-ready, but equipped with the critical thinking, hands-on experience, and communication skills to succeed from day one.
“SEMO graduates have made significant contributions to the success of TG Missouri since it started in 1987,” said Glen Weible, senior general manager of safety systems at TG Missouri Corporation. “This includes SEMO graduates who serve in management, technical, financial and administrative roles.” 
Weible, a member of SEMO’s Industrial Advisory Committee for Engineering and Technology since 2015, says the relationship between the University and local industry is key.
“By being near the plant, students can take advantage of internships. These internships have also turned into full-time employment for SEMO students,” he said.
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At Schaefer’s Electrical Enclosures, Director of Operations Mark Carlton shared a similar perspective. 
“We’ve had high success hiring SEMO graduates. When a SEMO resume lands on your desk, what stands out is their strong work ethic,” he said. “Especially from the Polytech side—those are hard-working kids who maybe weren’t sure they were going to go get a four-year engineering degree, but they knew they were more than a trade degree. They made a great blend of ‘I’m a hard worker who’s also smart.’”
Carlton, who also serves on SEMO’s Industrial Advisory Committee, added that modern manufacturing depends on a wide array of skills and talents.
“The need for high technical skilled people is high,” he said. “The sophistication of the technology, the troubleshooting, the collaboration—it’s why we look for graduates from SEMO’s STEM programs.”
Sikeston’s Alan Wire is also seeing SEMO’s impact firsthand. Chris Palisch, plant manager and member of SEMO’s Industrial Advisory Board, emphasized that SEMO students bring more than just textbook knowledge.
“One of the biggest things we notice is that SEMO students have real, applied experience. They’re not just studying theory—they’ve worked with real equipment, real processes, and they understand how to problem-solve in practical settings,” said Palisch. 
Palisch added that SEMO graduates stand out for their ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
“We can teach people how to do the job, but you can’t always teach them how to communicate technically and effectively,” he said. “Many of the SEMO students we’ve hired write professional emails, ask questions when they need help, and aren’t afraid of a process. They’re eager to learn.”
That responsiveness to employer needs is part of what makes SEMO’s Advisory Board so valuable, according to Palisch.
“It’s a two-way street,” he said. “SEMO listens to us. We talk about communication skills, technical training, problem-solving—and they adapt. That’s incredibly helpful to companies like ours.”
For recent alum Allie Weiler, a 2021 graduate of SEMO’s industrial and systems engineering program now working as a process engineer at Alan Wire, the path from classroom to career has been seamless.
“My AutoCAD class really helped solidify that this was the right degree for me,” she said. “And our senior capstone project brought everything together. SEMO helped prepare me to be adaptable and solutions focused.”
As technology evolves and workforce needs shift, companies across southeast Missouri say SEMO graduates are proving they’re ready for the challenge and ready to lead.
To learn more about SEMO’s engineering and technology programs, visit semo.edu/eng-tech.