In a world of constant uncertainty, students from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering looked to find a clear path to their tomorrow during the Fall Virtual Career Fair Sept. 23.
Nearly 1,100 students registered for the event that saw 68 companies and organizations recruiting for full- and part-time jobs as well as internships. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the Career Fair to be held online, but both students and employers have become accustomed to that fact of life.
“This is the third virtual career fair we’ve hosted, and it has become common as companies recruit potential employees,” said Carleigh Hannon, senior associate director of career services at Luddy. “Our students did a great job of preparing for the event by taking advantage of the workshops we offer to improve their resumes and the soft skills that are so important in an interview setting, but ultimately, it’s our students’ expertise and experience that shines through when seeking opportunities with employers.”
Students and potential employers enjoyed nearly 4,200 virtual connections during the event. Participants were able to plan their schedule and participate in either one-on-one, 10-minute meetings, or be part of 30-minute group sessions to introduce themselves, learn about open positions, and next steps in the recruiting process.
“The students were well-read and genuinely showed an interest by coming prepared, which was impressive,” said Nirupa Jayakrishnan, a marketing analyst for Infosys and one of the recruiters at the event. “The Career Fair was conducted well, and we had a good number of students attend.”
Although many employers are familiar with the virtual career process and utilize the technology for fairs at IU and other universities, the Luddy School takes the next step.
“We offer a personalized approach with employer and student help rooms allowing an opportunity to troubleshoot technical issues and ensure students and employers are connecting,” Hannon said. “We are fortunate our employers love to meet Luddy students from all different majors and programs and are attracted to the technical abilities and skills, in addition to their experience with specific projects in and out of the academic setting.”
The Spring Career Fair is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2022, but the format has yet to be decided.
“We’re unsure if our spring fair will be in-person or virtual, but I do plan to continue virtual career fairs in the future,” Hannon said. “Some students and employers are a bit more comfortable with that format, and we’re happy to develop events that serve to expand opportunities for our students to pursue the career of their dreams.”