On Wednesday morning, the LSF building was buzzing with excitement from both companies and students alike, as Purdue North Central held their 2015 Spring Career Expo. The 6th annual spring fair hosted 35 booths for companies seeking prospective employees and interns.
“The goal of this event is to facilitate an opportunity for our students and alumni to connect with the area,” said Natalie Connors, Director of Career Development and Services for Purdue University and North Central and Purdue University Calumet. “We encourage our students to attend to get a better idea of what opportunities are available locally.”
Nearly 100 students attended the fair speaking with representatives from the various regional companies present.
R.D. Parpart, Team Lead Steelworker for the Future at ArcelorMittal, attended specifically in search and recruitment of maintenance technicians. “There is a high demand for maintenance technicians as the average age of our current maintenance technicians is 57." His company works closely with PNC to help prepare students for this highly skilled, high tech field.
Erika Jones, Alumni Coordinator for PNC, and PNC Alum, recommended the fair to current students and offered, “It’s a way to get your name out there and build your resume. Even if you're early in your collegiate career, it provides the opportunity to receive internships which is very important.”
A few of the many companies represented were Regional Federal Credit Union, Indiana University Health, Indiana Beverage, Parents and Friends, Inc., General Sheet Metal Works, United Way, AmeriCorps, Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Speedway, Michiana Resources, Inc., US Air Force Recruiting Center, Pratt Industries, Reith-Riley Construction, Enterprise Holdings, and Ideas In Motion Media, Inc.
Enterprise Holdings attended in search of talented candidates for their management training program. “You don’t know what you don’t know” were the words of advice for the employment and intern seekers from Bob Berdelle, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise Holdings. “There is so much out there. The minute that you graduate, you become one of the huddled mass. This event presents an opportunity to learn more about an organization and impress upon them that you can contribute from minute one and be a valuable member. You can make an impact on the business world. If you can do that at a career fair, you differentiate yourself amongst the rest.”
Aysheh Yusuf, currently a junior Accounting major at PNC, also works with the Career Center to help prepare the Fairs. She encourages students to begin attending the fairs early on in the collegiate career as a way to gain experience, practice, awareness, and to help develop your career.
For those who could not attend the PNC fair, the Purdue University Calumet will be hosting a career fair for students and the general public on Friday, February 13 in the SUL Building, Room 349 at the PUC campus. For more information, please contact 219-989-2600.