TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WAWV/WTWO) — Indiana State University’s Career Center hosted a career fair Wednesday featuring more than 140 employers across several industries.
Students were able to explore and learn more about what each company offers for potential internships and career opportunities.
New this year, students checked in to the career fair using a new program called Handshake. Handshake is available to both students and alumni and is designed to connect them to the career center where they can make appointments throughout the year for résumé and cover letter reviews as well as mock interviews. The app also keeps students connected to future employers.
Carrie Lutz, Director of ISU Career Center said it’s all in hopes of preparing students the best ISU can. “We hope that it helps on the very basic level of just talking to people, right? So, just very much how does it look like to network with these different employers? Ultimately, it would be a win-win for both where the students would end with an internship opportunity or a really great connection for when they go out into the full-time workforce.”
ISU’s latest career placement for students graduating is 94%.
That’s something Lutz said is promising for students, “That’s ultimately the goal, right? We come to learn, we come to grow, we come to meet people. But ultimately, we want to do something with that, and that’s an indication that we serve, a degree here and programs to offer opportunities.”
Lutz went on to say that the hope is that students gain experience talking and networking with different employers and ultimately have the opportunity to make connections toward their future goals.
ISU student Tipton Davis was thankful for the opportunity the career fair provided, “It helps me network, it helps me meet people and it helps me get my name out there,” Davis said.
Student Jeremy Sanchez left excited about his future, “I came out of there with a good experience. I got to talk to a lot of people and go out for bigger dreams.”
ISU has two more career fairs coming up, those fairs are geared toward specific fields of study. Lutz said the career center is always looking for ways to make connections to the community, the employers, and the students.
