Scores of students clad in business attire ventured to the Joyce Center Wednesday evening to attend the 2010 Winter Career and Internship Fair.
Over 120 companies — slightly less than years past — were on hand to talk to students about post-graduation jobs and summer internships. The industries represented at the fair ran the gamut and included big-name firms such as Lockheed Martin, General Electric and Procter & Gamble.
Freshman Andrew Romero, a prospective marketing major, said he wanted to attend the career fair to get a general feeling for what the event is like. He said it was informative.
"It was pretty cool how it was arranged with all the companies tables set up inside," he said. "It didn't seem that intimidating."
Romero said he spoke with the Raytheon Corporation about possible internships, but was hoping to find one closer to his home in southern California.
"My parents work for Raytheon," he said. "I would like to try to find a way in to the company possibly."
While many underclassmen that attended the Fair were focused on finding internships, other attendees at the Fair were more focused on finding jobs for after graduation. Senior KeriAnn Hopkins, a senior Economics and English double major said she went to the Fair to speak with a specific company she knew was at the Fair about a job opportunity.
"I wanted to drop a résumé off with one company," she said. "I don't have any major expectations, but it was nice to have the chance to attend this event."
Graduate students and MBA students also went to the Fair in hopes of finding career placement.
2010 MBA candidate Adrian Love said he spoke with six different companies at the event.
"I am looking for more full time opportunities that are available for MBAs," he said.
In addition to looking for full time employment and summer internships, some students went to the Fair to reconnect with contacts they made at prior events.
Senior political science major Jamie Schulte said she went to the Fair to speak with a representative from a specific service organization.
"I met a representative at the Post Graduation Service Fair in the fall from the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago," she said.
Schulte said she had not yet applied for the program but she was meeting with the representative to check back in with her and ask some questions about the opportunity.
In order to prepare for the Fair, many students worked closely with the Career Center to refine their resumes and interviewing skills.
Hopkins said she attended a networking event prior to attending the Fair.
"I went to the Economics Club Meet and Greet this morning to make contacts before I went to the Fair," she said.
Love also utilized the Career Center's resources.
"I spoke with a career advisor prior to attending the Fair," he said.
The 2010 Winter Career and Internship Fair was the second employment fair Notre Dame hosted during the school year. The first took place in the fall, which was also well attended.
