The Engineering Technology Career Fair at Illinois State University (ISU) provided students with numerous opportunities to connect with industry professionals on October 5. The event featured a variety of employers, including Entec Services, Mortenson, and Caterpillar, allowing participants to network and seek internships or full-time jobs.
Senior engineering technology major La’akea Peverly expressed his gratitude for the effort put into organizing the fair. “The technology department worked hard to put this together,” he said. “I want to see what opportunities are being offered to us and make the most of it since they went out of their way to put all this effort in.” Peverly emphasized the importance of career fairs in building a bridge between ISU and industry companies, which could enhance future collaboration.
Junior engineering technology major Maya Pisanski noted that these events offer valuable face-to-face interactions. “You only hear about so many companies online. Talking to people gives you a more meaningful connection,” she said. This sentiment was echoed by graduate computer science major Alex Uchtorff, who appreciated the networking potential despite some frustrations with the fair’s online application process.
Uchtorff mentioned, “The one gripe I have with them is that they just point you to a QR code and you do online applications for the job. It’s not a bad thing if you haven’t done any career fairs, but for those who have been to them, being referred back to that feels rather frustrating.”
Employers shared their expectations for potential candidates. Teddy Bittman, a sales engineer with SMC Corporation of America, stated that he looks for personable candidates who follow through and are willing to research. “We come every year looking for different graduates who are interested in industrial manufacturing,” he said.
Emma Siragusa, a project engineer manager with IHC Construction, remarked on the significance of internships, noting that students do not need to know everything upon entering the workforce. “The industry is always evolving and changing. You have to be willing to adapt,” she explained. “We’re looking for someone who is open-minded and willing to learn.”
The fair also offered free professional headshots for attending students. The Department of Technology partnered with ISU Career Services to host the event. Career Services will host an Engineering Employer Expo on October 15, adding further opportunities for students to engage with prospective employers.
