In the Kibbie Dome on Oct. 9, students representing all interests, aspirations and fields of study joined to embark on this year’s Career Fair. An immense number of companies and representatives, on a journey to discover future interns and employees, met the professionally-dressed Vandals with enthusiasm. A buzz of confidence and anticipation filled the air as many students found potential professional prospects.
Handshakes, pitches and company merch lined the rows of opportunity. Upon entrance, students showed off their pull-up skills at one of the many military recruitment tables. A multitude of military-related services were present, promoting jobs related to one’s chosen field within the military.
The emphasis on STEM did not go unnoticed, as most of the stands were searching for a student with a degree in engineering or a field related to natural sciences such as forestry. There were a few options for students in the realm of business, such as investment, financial advising and sales represented throughout certain companies.
If you had an interest in furthering your education or stepping into the role of a university employee, a multitude of colleges advocated for their programs. Police departments from across the Northwest were available, looking to find students aspiring to go into law enforcement. If you happened to be a humanities major, it may have been difficult to find a place to further your career, as related organizations were scarce.
Big names such as Chobani, Gritman Medical Center and Wendy’s enticed students, but each different company had career-starting possibilities. The representatives offered knowledge and wisdom with an air of kindness to welcome nervous students. Many offered internships with some accepting resumes for the chance of a job within their business.
The consensus of the Career Fair, as attested by Jordan Robenstein, is that it was a “cool experience to make connections with possible employers,” and while she was slightly nervous, as many were, she found it useful “to see all the opportunities out there.” This event allowed students to cast a net upon professional contacts, discover which path they could take and learn to develop the necessary skills or requirements for their futures.
If you found yourself unable to attend this Career Fair but have an interest in seeing these opportunities, be sure to visit the Spring Career Fair on Feb. 12, 2025. Many resources are available for preparation, ensuring that each student feels confident and appears knowledgeable. A list of the organizations attending will be online, so you can research and find choices within your degree. Advisors are available to help fully prepare one’s resume and practice elevator pitches.
This Career Fair was a definite success and there is no doubt that many will follow in the future, giving Vandals a chance to prepare for their futures.