One of the first things you hear as a freshman at the University of Tennessee is that the opportunities are endless. It’s easy to roll your eyes at all the slogans and all the information they throw at you until you actually walk through the doors of Haslam College of Business. Suddenly, those words stop being a catchphrase and start being reality.
From day one, Haslam makes it clear that students aren’t just here to take classes. They’re here to build careers, friendships and futures.
What sets Haslam apart is not just the academics, but the way the college prepares students for life outside the classroom. Whether it’s through professional development workshops, career fairs or student ambassador programs, the college actively pushes students to get involved early and often. Many schools may make you wait until junior year to meet recruiters or polish a resume, but Haslam makes those resources accessible as soon as you step on campus. That accessibility makes all the difference.
Beyond professional development, UT has a wide range of organizations that allow students to explore their interests and build leadership skills. Business fraternities, service clubs, honors programs and intramural sports all create avenues for students to connect with people who share their passions. What makes UT stand out is that these opportunities aren’t locked behind intimidating barriers. You don’t need to have a perfect GPA or a big resume to join. Instead, the culture here is welcoming, you’re encouraged to try things, fail sometimes and grow from the experience.
Haslam, in particular, emphasizes the value of networking. Through events like the Haslam Career Prepared Fair and alumni panels, students get the chance to meet professionals who are shaping industries across the country. Networking can feel intimidating, but Haslam makes it approachable by connecting students with peers, professors and alumni who genuinely want to see them succeed. Talking with someone who once sat in the same classrooms you do makes the idea of building a career feel less overwhelming and more achievable.
These connections don’t just stay within Knoxville, either. Haslam students are landing internships and jobs with major companies across the country because of the reputation the college has built. The undergraduate business program is ranked No. 25 in the nation, and employers know that a degree from UT means graduates are prepared, professional and ready to contribute. That reputation gives students a competitive edge in crowded job markets.
Still, the best part of Haslam isn’t the rankings or the job offers, it’s the people. Professors make time for students, staff go out of their way to connect you to resources and peers push each other to grow. For me, walking into Haslam doesn’t feel like walking into just another academic building, it feels like walking into a place where my goals matter. The support system here doesn’t just prepare us to succeed, it makes us believe that we can.
That’s why I think Haslam deserves more recognition on campus. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges of college life, such as tuition, parking and stress, but it’s equally important to spotlight what’s working well. Haslam is doing a great job of giving students the tools to thrive, both during and after college.
So here’s my message to my peers: Don’t let these opportunities pass you by. Always read the Haslam Headlines, go to that career fair, join that club, talk to that alum at an event. The resources are already here, you just have to use them. You’ll only get out of it what you put in it.
At a university as big as UT, it’s easy to feel like one student out of thousands. But Haslam makes sure that every student who takes advantage of its opportunities has a chance to stand out. UT doesn’t just hand you a diploma, it hands you opportunities. And if you’re willing to reach for them, they can shape not just your college years, but your entire future.
Chris Hearn is a sophomore at UT studying supply chain management. He can be reached at [email protected].
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