On Thursday, September 28 The Office of Career Services hosted a Career, Internship, and Part-Time Job Fair for all Kean University students. From 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., students were able to talk to employers in various fields to find potential job opportunities. Countless students eagerly walked along Cougar Walk in their professional attire as they handed out their resumes and spoke to several employers. The event was a success with over 100 organizations sharing career opportunities with students. Of the many organizations present, Army National Guard, Sherwin-Williams, Skechers, K&G Career Academy, Johnson & Johnson, Community Agency for Senior Citizens Inc., Forest Hills Financial Group, New York State Police, Pearle Vision, Internal Revenue Service, CityMD, and Groove National Dance Competition were among those in attendance. Our own Kean University participated in featuring potential opportunities for the Kean University Sports Business Club, Office of Residence Life, and Kean University Human Resources.

In addition to the company representatives, the Office of Alumni Engagement helped the students in their job search. Office of Alumni Engagement members helped the students create and perfect their elevator pitches. Coordinator of New Alumni and Student Engagement, Breanna Hernandez, stated that several alumni volunteers would be helping the students in formulating their elevator pitches and introducing themselves. “We’re making sure that students are telling us what degree are they pursuing, what experience they have, what experience are they looking for, and what their end goal might be.” Hernandez also shared helpful tips, “Start from the basics. Seriously, who are you, what do you want to do, and where are you trying to be? Also, practice your handshake...and just be as confident as you can be.” 

Many students looked forward to this event because it gave them exposure to several different employers of interest. Freshman and Biology Health Professions Major, Chelsea Henry, shares her reason for attending this event. “I’m looking for an internship that will help aid me in the medical field so I can get experience because I do know that the route that I want to take as a career is becoming a physician assistant.” Other students like Junior and Accounting Major, Nish Patel, used this event to look for ways to better his qualifications, “I’m just looking for a place where I can improve my skills and further myself.”  

All the companies were excited to share what they could offer the students. Sergeant Daniel Herrera shared what the Army National Guard provided for those interested. “We’re here to offer the opportunity for students from Kean University to learn a little bit about our program and what we offer at the New Jersey Army National Guard.” Along with communicating the details of the positions available, the employers shared the qualities they look for in a potential employee/intern. Colleen Sweeney of Affiliated Monitoring said the traits the team looks for in interns, “We’re really looking for students with a solid foundation and background in computer science, business, data analytics, and just an eagerness to learn and willing to step up and be a leader.”