On September 24, countless different organizations that specialize in engineering and other STEM related career fields took part in this fall’s STEM Career Expo. The event took place at the University of North Dakota’s Memorial Union and focused on creating a welcoming environment that encourages undergraduate and graduate students alike to speak to potential employers and establish connections within their respective fields of study and within the industry.
Each organization set up their own table and had exclusive merchandise that they handed out to students, however, arguably the most important thing that was handed throughout the event at each table was business cards that held each recruiters contact information. Career Expos, such as UND’s 2024 Career Expo, exist to offer a platform for students to get a head start on the process of finding potential employment after college, and events like these function as great networking opportunities.
Tyler Olsen, a third-year student pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, spoke about his experience at the 2024 Career Expo. “I had a great time at the expo, having the opportunity to meet a lot of different companies and talk to many different employers” Olsen said. “Everyone was super nice and open to answering all the questions that I had for them,” highlighting the invaluable connections and experiences that are built at networking events such as these.
Alongside establishing connections, presenting yourself in a professional light is essential if you want to stand out and distinguish yourself from your peers in front of potential employers. Professional attire is always a safe bet while attending events such as these, alongside with maintaining an open mind and truly taking the time to listen to each organizations pitch to see if they can potentially be a suitable place of employment for yourself.
A career expo is what you make of it, and UND has taken extensive efforts to put together an event of this magnitude, and many organizations have traveled over 100 miles for the opportunity to meet students and grow their work force. It ultimately comes down to whether you want to take advantage of the opportunity and facilitate a rapid transition into the work force post-graduation. Especially considering the unstable nature of our current job market, it is never too early to start thinking about your future even if you are still an undergraduate student at UND. Make sure to follow up with the UND Events Calendar and stay tuned for the Spring Expo next semester.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
