STEM job fair allows students to interact with major companies

By Brooks Whitehurst
Reporter

Science, technology, engineering, and math focused employers will visit campus today to recruit students for careers and internships today.

The STEM job fair, from 1 – 4 p.m., will take place on the fifth floor of the Cashion Academic Center. Career and Professional Development will bring in 59 companies to visit with students.

“The whole reason we do job fairs is to bring the opportunities and employers to students,” said Marjorie Ellis, executive director of career and professional development. “Students want the opportunities but often aren’t sure how to contact them.”

Carolyn Muska, director of professional development, said in order for students to get the most out of a career fair they should come prepared and appropriately dressed.

“The preparation piece is so important,” Muska said. “If they don’t prepare, the result is that they’re awkward or can’t have a relevant conversation because they haven’t done their research.”

Muska suggested each student attending the fair have identified and researched his or her preferred three to five companies. She also said students should have prepared what she calls a “30-second commercial,” something she said few think to do.

“The 30-second commercial is an intro piece,” Muska said. “It lets the recruiter know who you are, what you’re interested in and what your specific interests are.”

Dress for the event is professional and attendees should also bring their student ID, according to the event page on the Career and Professional Development website. Muska also said students will need to bring several copies of a polished resume.

Among the 59 companies on campus today will be Chevron Phillips, AT&T, Halliburton and Lockheed Martin.

“This is your opportunity to make a first impression,” Ellis said. “This could be the opportunity that gets you a position over someone else.”