Track suits were out and business casual was in at the Perry Field House on Tuesday as employers and students gathered for the Fall EXPO Job and Internship Fair.
About 175 employers and 1500 students were expected to attend as of one day before the event, said Jeffery L. Jackson, the Career Center assistant vice president for student career success.
“The job fair is an excellent opportunity for students to have a face-to-face interaction with our employer partners. It really gives a chance for students to tell their story,” Jackson said, further noting meeting with employers offers much more information than just submitting a resume.
On the day of the event, the line to enter the Field House was often out of the lobby, to the turnaround outdoors. Inside the Field House the aisles were packed, with eager employers and students talking about career and job opportunities.
Jasper Tenga, a computer science freshman, seized the opportunity to attend the fair. Tenga said he was attending to “get internship opportunities, meet different companies and make connections.”
Jackson said attending events like these as a freshman helps build relations with recruiters.
Jordan Rae, a recruiter from Auckland, New Zealand working for Aliquantum International, Inc., thinks the fair is a great opportunity for finding student employees.
“I absolutely love all of my interns,” Rae said. “We have a lot of opportunities, not only in America, but also in Japan and England.”
Heather Bellner, a director of talent for Chick-fil-A, shared the sentiment, “We love, love, love college students. (They’re) just full of potential.”
Bellner was looking for “students who are humble, hungry and smart.” Bellner explained she was looking for people who are willing to put the work in, strive to do a job well and know how to work with customers and coworkers efficiently and effectively.
Bellner also mentioned there were two college students who started off working at a Chick-fil-A location and were now working towards owning their own franchises. Bellner was unable to recall which university these students were from.
Upcoming Career Center events this semester include the Etiquette Dinner on Nov. 1, which requires registration by Oct. 15, and the Falcon Internship Guarantee Fall Fest on Nov. 9.
