Midland University students will have the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their careers during the Career & Internship Fair Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hopkins Arena.
About 90 area businesses are expected to be on hand for the event, where students in all stages of their college career can hone their interviewing skills, plant the seeds for a potential job or internship, and learn the value of a face-to-face meeting with a potential employer.
“There is no other opportunity where we will have 90 employers on campus. Students won’t have to research these companies individually; these businesses will be coming to them and are ready to connect with students on all levels,” said Brenda Wilberding, Assistant Director of the Career Studio. “For students who lack experience in meeting with future employers, it’s a great way to build those relationships. For seniors, it’s a chance to reconnect with employers, see what that culture is like, and learn about opportunities for advancement.”
A wide variety of businesses will be on hand, ranging from healthcare, human services, and marketing to agribusiness and arts management. Career Studio Director Connie Kreikemeier said the diversity in career opportunities will give students a chance to explore career paths they might not be familiar with. “There are so many different positions available, and these students might not have heard of some of these organizations, so it gives these employers an opportunity to show who they are and what they can offer,” she said. “I always tell our students to keep an open mind and open heart. You might walk in not knowing much about an organization, have a great conversation with them, and leave thinking that it might be a great company to work for.”
Both Kreikemeier and Wildberding stress the importance of students getting a jumpstart on building relationships and a resume, whether they are searching for an internship, part-time employment, or a career. “If you’re looking to build experience, we encourage students to align those internships or part-time jobs early and develop skills that will lead to a career,” Wildberding said.
“So many times, you can start a spark your freshman year, then you follow through and build that relationship,” Kreikemeier said. “We’ve had many students who have landed internships, do a great job, then are eventually offered a position.”
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Midland was unable to host a Career & Internship Fair in 2021. This year’s collection of 90 businesses is the largest Kreikemeier has hosted in her nine years at Midland and she is excited to see employers and students able to have in-person interactions once again. “Those in-person conversations are so memorable. It just gives you a better feel of what that person is like and how you might work together,” she said. “The more practice you have meeting with people, the more comfortable you get. At some point, you will have to interview, so it’s great to be able to practice beforehand and get an idea of what that experience will be like.”
With so much of daily business being conducted virtually over the last two years, Wilberding believes it’s important for students to remember that in-person interaction is still a vital component of a successful business. “You’re going to have conversations with co-workers, which is why it’s important to develop those communication skills you use daily,” she said. “That isn’t something we’ve been able to do every day.”
Wilberding sees the Career & Internship Fair as a win-win for employers and students. “There are so many businesses that are looking for people,” she said. “We talk a lot with our students about how there is a world of jobs waiting for them out there.”
Students are encouraged to bring resumes with them to hand out to various employers. “Come with your resumes, come with questions, and be ready to have talking points to engage with these employers,” Kreikemeier said. “We also encourage students to follow up with employers and thank them for coming. That goes a long way with employers.”
To learn more about the Career & Internship Fair and view an interactive map, visit the Career & Internship Fair page.
