By Caroline Gordon
Career Services and Employer Relations hosted the Spring 2022 Job & Internship Fair in person for students to network with 30 employers in the McCarthy Center Forum March 31.
It’s the first time the fair has been in person since before the pandemic.
According to Wendy Davis, office manager of Career Services and Employer Relations, approximately 185 students registered for the event and many others attended.
Jill Gardosik, internship coordinator for Career Services and Employer Relations, said the fair is beneficial for students because employers can “put a face to a name” when reviewing a student’s application.
Senior Kammarie Pelland, a marketing major, said the fair is helpful to her career search as she can make connections with employers in person, allowing her to “break the barrier of being nervous while speaking to a potential boss.”
Sophomore Camille Carvalho, a sociology major, said given the rise in technological communication due to COVID-19, the fair is critical for students as they can practice their interview skills and how to dress professionally.
Senior Phil Meola, a computer science major, said, “I think this career fair has many, many employers with great insight – there’s a lot of creative people around. It’s a great event. I hope we can find some good internships and opportunities.”
Senior Aaron Moyer, a computer science major, explained he attended the fair to “get his foot out in the Keld of internships” in order to expand his technical skills in the computer science Keld.
Moyer noted his interest in MediTech, an information technology company, as well as their booth.
Sophomore Kaleb Kinskey, also a computer science major, who is seeking a summer internship, said he gave his resumé to employers from MathWorks and is thankful for the opportunity to connect with the computer software company.
He added, “This event is important for students because it teaches us communication skills and helps us find a job after college.”
Junior Marquis DosSantos, a business management major who is also seeking a summer internship, said, “For a college student, this is a great environment to be in – you learn so much about internships, part-time positions and full-time positions.”
He added it is important for students to form professional relationships while still in college, so after graduation, they have job opportunities.
Senior Geanny Infante, a fashion design and retailing major who spent her time at the fair networking with The TJX Companies, said it is important to “be aware” of every employer in attendance because students don’t typically have the opportunity to network with 30 companies at once.
“There could be something you like, but don’t know about until you actually attend the career fair,” she said.
Infante added, “I think it is so important the school is hosting this event because students need to seek out their options.”
Senior Jake Garman, a double major in accounting and financial planning, said, “The career fair is a place where you can talk to people and get out of your comfort zone. FSU is doing a good job of bringing in quality companies that are willing to work with kids.”
Senior Paige Capone, a sociology major, who is part of the Suitable Solutions Program, said the fair allowed her to build on the skills she already developed as a Suitable Solutions student, such as critiquing her resumé and practicing interview skills.
Capone said she is searching for an internship and a job. She networked with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), Key Program, the MetroWest YMCA, and Coca-Cola.
She said, “This event is so important for students to not only get yourself out there and build on your networking skills, but to also feel out the job market. As a graduating senior, it is important to see what the prospects are.”
Although the majority of the attendees were students, Spanish and Portuguese Professor Joanne Britland attended the fair to create partnerships with local organizations to promote internships for Spanish-language students.
Britland said she is the faculty fellow for the Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center.
“My project is trying to create a pipeline between students to facilitate real-world, hands-on experience using Spanish and the value of being a Spanish major and a humanities major,” she said.
Amari Veale, residential coordinator at The New England Center for Children, a private special education residential school in Southborough, said she was grateful to attend the fair as she was able to offer students information on working with children who have autism.
“I am so excited to be here and speak with students,” she said.
Stephanie DaSilva, human resources specialist at Realizing Children’s Strengths (RCS), a learning center for children with autism, said, “This is one of the best fairs I have been to since the pandemic started. The students at Framingham State are always excellent to talk to and well prepared.”