Every year, the University of New Haven’s Career Development Center hosts their Career Fair. On Sept. 11 and 12, the school invites a variety of organizations to table to meet with students to discuss future career options.

Taking place in the Beckerman Recreation Center, the fair was split into two days with Day One hosting Business, Engineering, Sports, and Arts and Entertainment companies. Day One included tabling for those interested in Marketing, Accounting, Construction, Social Work, Armed forces and Engineering.

Day One also provided a special feature; a gallery, intended to display students’ work all at no cost to the students.

When asked about the importance of the career fair, University President Jens Frederikson highlighted the requirements that the University has implemented to start college off on the right foot.

“We’ve made it a requirement that the freshmen come to college with their resumes uploaded to Handshake,” said Frederikson. “Out of the 1350 freshmen we welcomed, we have just over half already on track with their resumes. “We are essentially giving them a clean slate.”

“With Day One’s massive success, campus was buzzing with anticipation only 24 hours later when Day Two began. This day had Healthcare, Sciences, Criminal Justice and Nonprofit organizations, each of which had their own respective tables set up. With the line stretching out in front of the Rec center and beyond, the Career Fair opened its doors on Day Two at 1p.m..

Day Two hosted a variety of organizations as well. Local organizations such as West Haven Police Department and New Haven Reads tabled for their organizations, as well as non-local organizations such as Glastonbury Police Department, FBI and Secret Services.

“There are around 63 different organizations, agencies and departments present and tabling today,” said Desmond Anderson, Assistant Director of Employee Relations. “We wanted to go out and build connections and relationships with a ton of different agencies this year,” he said.

Anderson commented on the continuing success and evolving of the career fair over the years as a student and alumni.

“Employers are so much more engaged with the students in the art of recruiting, and that people are going to come because of who we are.”

Organizations presented many forms of merchandise as well, including frisbees, pens, shirts, and other small complimentary items for the students to enjoy while job hunting.

“The employers also came with open job descriptions of the opportunities and positions that need taking,” said Anderson. “The students themselves are being taught by our career center to check their resumes, how to dress, and create elevator pitches to help prepare for these fairs and other opportunities that come up. The student body and staff body here have both shown a lot of growth as far as these events.”

Anderson also gave a generous piece of advice to those who are new to the experience of a career fair.

“Always come prepared for an interview,” Anderson said. “It may not happen today, but first impressions matter. Dress professionally, and bring a resume.”

The student body had nothing but praise for the university’s career fair.

“I think it’s a great opportunity that the school has,” said Rebecca Valentine, a sophomore. “It’s really nice for them to bring in recruiters from some of the biggest agencies, we have FBI and Border Patrol here, I think it’s very cool.”
Valentine also shared some advice for incoming freshmen looking for internships.

“While it may be intimidating at first, once you get used to presenting yourself and talking with other people and your peers, you get ahead, and gives you a sort of comfort, it’s really nice,” Valentine said.
The fair also included UNH students and alumni who work for the organizations as well. Devon O’Leary, UNH senior and Marine Corp. officer pointed out how excited he was to see students so eager to join public services.

“It’s pretty packed in here, but it’s so good to see students who are wanting and willing to go into this specific workfield,” O’Leary said.

O’Leary commented about the other benefits to having organizations tabling every year at the career fair.

“This program wasn’t well known here, and we are using the career fair as an opportunity to grow on this campus,” O’Leary said. “We know that [the] University of New Haven has some great students, great people. We believe that having more students and building our program can benefit both the Marine Corps. and the university.”

On Day Two, there was a special table that wasn’t just there to provide internships. New Haven Reads provided free books to the students who attended the career fair.
“We are very blessed and thankful to the university for partnering with us every year,” said Fernanda Franco, Manager of New Haven Reads. “We’re usually in Maxcy Hall, so it’s nice to have a change of pace and see a lot more students this year.”

Several students commented on how the Career Fair has become more friendly for freshmen attempting to get ahead of the curve.

“As an upcoming sophomore, I really am proud to see freshmen taking the initiative to go to the fair,” said Gabe Aliendro.

“The variety is amazing here,” said Abbie Stoles, a sophomore. “The amount of different jobs and people looking for them are amazing.”

If you missed this career fair, do not worry. Be on the lookout for the second career fair, taking place in the spring semester.