Professionally dressed women and men were a common sight on campus last week, as students and potential employers had the chance to connect during University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s 15th Annual Spring Career Fair.
It was one of the largest career fairs to date in terms of employers present, according to the UW-Platteville website.
“We made an active effort to recruit more employers,” Jennifer Williamson, Director of the Academic and Career Advising Center, said. “We’re excited to continue to cultivate relationships to expand our employer base, but then again also to continue those relationships that we have had for a significant amount of time.”
There were 296 employers present over the course of the three-day fair, which began Tuesday, Feb. 10., 70 more than last year’s career fair.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. over the three days in Velzy Commons and the Harry and Laura Nohr Gallery in Ullsvik Hall students met with potential employers, set up interviews, and were able to have professional photos taken. Employers paid a registration fee in order to reserve a booth, and the career fair was sold out on all three days, according to the UW-Platteville website.
“We have more and more employers who understand the value of hiring Pioneers,” Williamson said.
Each of the days was targeted to specific majors, although students were encouraged to attend every day, regardless of major. On Tuesday, the focus was on Business and Accounting, Agriculture, Media Studies, Liberal Arts, Industrial Technology and Engineering. Wednesday and Thursday focused on STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Adam Becker, a graduating senior in Industrial Studies Management, typically attends all three days just to check out which employers are there.
“I have had some interviews in Washington. I have driven to Chicago,” Becker said. “I haven’t gotten a job yet, but I have had many interviews.”
Students were able to pick up booklets at the door in which they could find a list of all the employers present that day. The booklet included information on the majors each employer was seeking, the opportunities available, and information as to whether the employer was new this year.
“Helping me with the booth is one of the [UW-Platteville] interns who started with us, was hired on full time and has been with us for three years,” said Sara Fredrickson, Human Resources at Precision Drive & Control, Inc., a company represented on Wednesday.
“It has been an excellent thing to have him here because he can really talk to the students, discuss the classes they have taken and what is appropriate for what our customers and our company needs,” said Fredrickson.
Precision Drive & Control, Inc. was at the fair seeking a full time Electrical Engineer as well as co-op students.
“Everyone I spoke to, both employers and students, agreed that it was very successful,” Williamson said on the final day of the fair.
“Although the fair concluded on Thursday Feb. 12, there will be continued energy coming from our office,” Williamson said. “As on campus interviews will continue for the next two weeks.”