Career Fair biggest ever

On Wednesday, October 18, 2006, hundreds of Rose-Hulman students filled the SRC with the intentions of landing an internship, co-op, or full time job at the first of three Career Fairs, which is put on by Career Services with the help of student volunteers. Approximately 160 companies have signed up to attend the career fair, and the SRC was full of booths manned by 440 recruiters.

Some of the companies attending this career fair were: Bemis Company, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delphi, Eli Lilly, Frito Lay, Lexmark International, Lockheed Martin, Marathon Petroleum, Microsoft, Rockwell Collins and Texas Instruments.

Photo: Christina Davis Rose-Hulman students try to acquire that ever-so-evasive interview at Wednesday’s Career Fair.

When asked how he felt about the career fair, junior computer engineering major David Berdy mentioned that “it’s really big and awesome this year. I like how there are almost no lines.” Recruiters were constantly talking with students and even some of the larger companies had many recruiters talking with multiple students at a time.

Many of the companies have attended previous Career Fairs, and a lot of Rose-Hulman alumni were there to recruit for their company. Process Engineer Mike Martin, who works for ProTrans International, came to his first Career Fair as a recruiter. “It’s kinda nice being on the other side of the table. It’s really relaxing.”

Tom, a recruiter from Lutron Electronics Company mentioned that the career fair is a lot more impressive than the larger universities that he has been to. “[I’m] impressed by the amount of effort put into this…well organized, more attendance.” The recruiters were busy the following day, interviewing prospective interns, co-ops and full-time positions.

Junior mechanical engineer Jim Hammer was impressed with the career fair. “The recruiters seemed more interested in me now because of more work experience and being a junior. I was disappointed that Ford or Daimler Chrysler did not return.” When asked about any improvements, Hammer mentioned that the organization of the companies should be improved. “[I think they should] make the booths alphabetical to help find certain companies, it’s difficult to find all them with this unclear map.”