The University of Rhode Island’s College of Business hosted a career fair on Friday, attracting a diverse array of students and employers looking to connect and explore potential job opportunities.
The fair, while it was organized by the College of Business, was available to the entire student body to visit and network with the professionals and recruiters present at the event.
62 different organizations were represented, looking for either internship or job candidates, and in some cases both, with companies representing industries ranging from financial services to supply chain management.
According to Noah Blake, a second-year double majoring in supply chain management and innovation and entrepreneurship, the multitude of companies represented played a large role in his experience attending.
“It was amazing to see so many different companies,” Blake said.
Blake also mentioned the importance of networking and marketing oneself to potential employers, drawing from his experiences with programs like the winter shadow J-Term program, which allows students to accompany corporate partners in their jobs to learn more about different professional fields.
Heather Lin, a talent branding specialist with Ocean State Job Lot, spoke on the different internship opportunities available to students, and what types of qualities in candidates are important when looking for new hirees.
“It’s all about eagerness and willingness to learn and being a part of a team as well,” Lin said. “Our internship program is very collaborative.”
Gavin Moffat, a second-year accounting major, had positive things to say about the career fair as well. He engaged with representatives from organizations such as the IRS, Federated Insurance and KPMG.
Moffat also cited the role of advisors within the College of Business as being crucial in facilitating connections between students and companies aligned with their interests. He thanked the organizers for the setup of the event, which allowed students to locate employers and access resources such as the LinkedIn photo booth.
“This year, the LinkedIn photo booth was much more accessible and visible, which made it easier for students to improve their professional appearance for LinkedIn,” Moffat said.
Upcoming events within the College of Business include a CFO roundtable discussion on April 1, in the Ryan Auditorium of the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, as well as an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club event on April 4, in the Hope Room of the Higgins Welcome Center.