About Career Services

Career Services Office

DSU Career Services Office assists students and alumni with a variety of free services to assist them as they enter the job market. It consists of three main areas: Student Employment, Internships and Placement. Student Employment offers part-time, temporary, and seasonal job opportunities for students and has access to all Job Service listings. Internships allow students to obtain "hands on" experience that will enhance employability upon graduation. Career Services assists students in locating internship opportunities in their field of study. The third step in this process is considered placement, or the acceptance of a permanent, full-time position upon graduation. Several other services are offered through Career Services to prepare students for their future, some of which include: individualized career counseling, workshops, career planning courses, campus recruiters, credential files, vacancy announcements, job fairs, etc.

The DSU Career Services Office is located on 2nd Floor of Heston Hall. Room 206 

Phone:  (605) 256-5122
Fax:      (605) 256-5704
Email:  career.services@dsu.edu

Career Services Staff

Marie Lohsandt, Ed.D.
Asst Vice President, Student Affairs
Director, Career Services

Hello, I’m Marie Lohsandt, Asst VP of Student Affairs and Director of Career Services at DSU.  I have been with DSU for 20 years and can’t imagine a better institution with which to be affiliated!  I often tell people that I have “one foot on campus and one foot off campus” because in addition to working with DSU students and colleagues, I work closely with state and regional employers to develop positions for interns and graduates. It’s that unique blend that keeps my job exciting -- no two days are ever the same!

Giving back is important to me, so I am actively involved in several local and state associations. Although I enjoy outside involvements, the most important thing to me is spending time with my family and attending their many activities. When I do have a little free time, I enjoy restoring/decorating our 1910 home, shopping for antiques or unique items, working in the yard, walking or reading.
 
Thanks again for stopping by our site.  When you visit campus, I invite you to stop in person to meet all of us in Career Services!

Kelly Barnes
Career Advisor / Student Employment Rep.

Janelle Nielsen
Senior Secretary/Office Manager

Hi!  I am Janelle Nielsen.  I’m the Program Assistant in Career Services.  I have been employed at Dakota State since September of 2005.  Prior to coming to Career Services, I worked in the DSU Enrollment Services office.  

My job consists of mainly contact with current DSU students as well as graduates of Dakota State.  Our office assists students that will be graduating in preparing paperwork for their credential file.  After graduation, these students or employers may call us if they wish for a credential file to be sent.  I help coordinate on-campus interviews with our current students and sometimes recent graduates.  With this part of my job I have contact with many businesses that are recruiting our students.  There are approximately twenty businesses that come to campus for interviews each semester.  I am the voice you will most times hear when you make calls to our office and usually the first face that will greet you when you stop in.

I am married to Jim Nielsen and together have two children, Tom and Jenna.  Our family has many ties to Dakota State University.  I attended DSU, formally DSC, as did my husband Jim.  My son Tom and daughter-in-law Erin are recent Dakota State graduates. My daughter Jenna is pursing a nursing degree.  Our family has been avid ‘Trojan’ fans for many years supporting the football and basketball programs.  I am a member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Madison.  I love spending my free time with my family and friends, traveling, shopping, boating, going to movies and the theatre.