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Poole College Career Fair Presents Diverse Opportunities

A wide range of career and internship opportunities are on tap at the NC State Poole College of Management’s Fall Career and Internship Fair, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NC State McKimmon Center. More than 80 companies have registered to participate in the event.

“The number of employers registered is up over last year, and interest in our students is strong,” said Brian Newton, director of career development in Poole College’s Office of Undergraduate Programs.

“What I’m hearing from the companies is that they do have internships and job opportunities, but they are being very selective, and they can be in this economy. Students have to be on their A-game to get interviews and then to get offers,” he said. Poole College offers numerous workshops for its students to prepare for the career fair.

“Employers especially are interested in hiring student interns and new graduates to bring into training programs,” Newton said. He cites the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, which reports that student internship hiring nationally is up 300 percent this year.

“Employer interest in our supply chain programs and students continues to rise,” he added. “I’ve had a number of calls this summer and fall concerning our supply chain program and employers wanting to come to campus or attend our career fair to recruit them.”

Poole College’s Career Fair focuses on opportunities related to the disciplines taught in the college, but is open to all NC State students and alumni.

Students are encouraged to check NC State’s ePACK system regularly to check the list of participating companies and explore their career information sites, he said. It is also important for students to research the companies that have positions to fill and identify those whose recruiters they would like to meet at the career and internship fair.

“I also encourage Poole College students to register for and attend the career development workshops that we have running over the next few weeks,” Newton said. These are posted on the Career Development section of Poole College’s undergraduate programs’ website.

In the meantime, Newton offers the following tips for making the most of a career fair:

  • Dress professionally (preferably in a suit)
  • Bring a briefcase or leather portfolio (no backpacks)
  • Develop and practice your introduction
  • Bring several copies of your resume (on fine resume paper)
  • Research employers before attending so you can tell the recruiters why you are interested in working for them
  • Smile, shake hands confidently, and introduce yourself when you approach an employer
  • Ask questions that show interest in the organization and the recruiters’ work
  • Turn off your cell phone when you enter McKimmon and do not talk on your cell phone when you are in the eyesight of employers
  • Ask for business cards
  • Follow up by sending thank-you notes

When going to the career fair, students are reminded to bring their student ID.

Directions and Transportation

McKimmon Center is located at the corner of Gorman and Western. A shuttle service vehicle will be running to and from the McKimmon Center every 20-30 minutes on the day of the career fair, with stops at the Nelson Courtyard (between Nelson and Kilgore halls on Brooks Avenue) from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The shuttle will wait for 10 minutes at both Nelson and McKimmon to collect passengers.

Poole College Career Development Offices