By Jane Bowden
Correspondent
The Student Recreation Center was home to a buzzing crowd of students and employers at the biannual Fall Opportunities Fair hosted by the Career Center on Friday, Sept. 28.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students dressed in business wear sought academic and professional opportunities from over 170 companies including AT&T, MetLife and more. Students gathered to discuss available internships, part-time or full-time jobs and graduate programs with employers and graduate school representatives.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for all different types of majors and years,” said Samantha Allen, a junior marketing major. “It’s really a great way to get your foot in the door.”
Many students were thrilled to see the broad variety of companies present at the fair.
“This is my first time going to this, so it’s cool getting to meet all of these different companies and see what they offer,” said Matthew Cornely, a junior finance major.
For returning companies like Mercadien, an accounting firm located in Hamilton, New Jersey, the fair was a helpful way to meet with potential future employees in a fast-paced and efficient manner.
“We generally look for applicants who are not only good with numbers but are personable when working with clients, have time management skills and know when to prioritize their time,” said Rachel Anderson, the human resources coordinator of Mercadien. “Being involved in clubs and having prior jobs are also important.”
Students seeking to further their education were also able to connect with a plethora of schools, such as Seton Hall University and Stevens Institute of Technology, to discuss graduate program offerings.
“We have been here for five years, and we always get a lot of TCNJ students each year,” said Laurie Kuhn, Monmouth University’s associate director of graduate admissions.
With the growing demand for professional experience, many students were pleased with this year’s turnout.
“I was able to meet a lot of interesting businesses that I would want to work with. I will definitely come back next semester,” Allen said.
