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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Morris University Center was bustling with activity as area employers connected with eager job, co-op, internship and graduate school candidates during the Career Development Center’s (CDC) Spring Career Fairs held Wednesday and Thursday, March 4-5.

SIUE alumni were among the representatives from more than 185 major companies. Students from the Schools of Business and Engineering, and the College of Arts and Sciences shared their knowledge and skillsets with employers seeking full-time and co-op internship candidates.

Also, in attendance were Graduate Schools promoting national higher education opportunities to students and alumni. An IT Fair for technical majors was new this year.

“The Career Development Center continuously creates engagement and networking opportunities between SIUE students and prospective employers,” said CDC Assistant Director for Employer Relations Carrie Smolar. “Our career fairs have grown tremendously. Employers continue to show interest in talented SIUE students and alumni as they look to recruit the next generation of employees.”

Employers emphasized their pursuit of prospective employees who can demonstrate strong soft and technical skills, both of which they have a history of finding in SIUE students.

“It’s great to be back on campus connecting with high-quality candidates,” said Kelly Wrap, a customer liaison with K-Force who graduated from SIUE in May 2019 with a bachelor’s in business administration. “We are a staffing and solutions firm that works with multiple St. Louis companies. We have multiple SIUE grads on our team, so we love coming to this career fair to meet and recruit new talent.”

“We are interested in bachelor’s possessing engineers, primarily right out of college with degrees in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering,” said Kathryn Taylor, Human Resources Specialist with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. “We have a demand for engineers, and we’ve been able to obtain a few good employees/hires from these events.”

Students in attendance emphasized their preparation for the career fairs through the support of the CDC and academic program faculty.

“I attended the Pre-Career Fair Crash Course which helped me feel prepared to connect with employers and graduate schools today,” said Joseph Gassiraro, of Edwardsville, a junior double majoring in history and Spanish. “It’s useful to have everyone in one place. I’ve talked with representatives from multiple grad schools and a few non-profits.”

“I practiced how I will approach a company to initiative conversation and have my resume in hand,” said Abigail Mobbs, of Dupo, a senior marketing major. “I’m interested in connecting with Abstrakt Marketing, because I’ve done my research and know they have a great workplace environment.”

“I see myself on the management and administrative side of a company, because I like leading people and offering oversight and guidance through orientation programs,” added senior business management major Marlene Nguepnang, of Springfield. “I have an internship with Enterprise this summer. It was great to be able to meet the company’s HR manager face-to-face at today’s career fair.”

“It’s good to get your foot in the door and get a feel for what a career fair is like,” explained freshman mechanical engineering major Macy Deck, of Edwardsville.  “Even if I don’t get an internship out of this event, at least I will know how to prepare for next time.”

Senior computer management and information systems (CMIS) majors Samantha Cleaves and Stephanie Spillers both secured interviews with companies during the career fairs.

“I gave almost all of my resumes away and was offered an interview during the IT Fair,” Cleaves said. “I hope to work in information security.”

 “Having a network is important for getting your name out in the field and making connections that may be beneficial in the future,” added Spillers. “I attended both days of the career fair and received an interview each day, so I’m getting a lot out of this opportunity.”

The CDC will host its Nursing Career Fair on Monday, March 16, followed by the Education Career Fair on Tuesday, March 17. For more information about those and other upcoming CDC events, visit siue.edu/career-development-center/about/events.

Photos: SIUE actuarial science major Jonathan Amwayi speaks with Bailey Zumer from Levi, Ray. & Shoup, Inc.

SIUE MBA student Taylor Gresens greets Sarah Peters with Brooksource during the Spring Career Fair.

Representatives from more than 185 major companies attended the SIUE Career Development Center’s Spring Career Fairs.