HU students network with employers at NICE Career Fair

HUNTINGTON, Ind. Huntington University students networked with 137 businesses and organizations at the Northeast Indiana Career Enrichment Career Fair at IPFW on April 15. More than 700 Indiana students attended the event.

The fair, sponsored by area universities, allowed students to network with area professionals from Aflac, IBM, Parkview Health, Wells Fargo, Youth for Christ and dozens of other businesses. The event allowed a number of students to gain fruitful experience and potential job offers.

"It was set up great. Everyone there was friendly," said Kyle Johnloz, a senior business management and entrepreneurial small business management, who was able to connect with a company about a potential sales position. "Going in I was a little intimidated, but then I realized that they are looking for students for a reason. I got the jitters out and then just started to make connections."

Huntington University's Enterprise Resource Center, which connects HU students with area businesses, social services, not-for-profits and other organizations to provide them with hands-on experiential learning through internships, promoted the event on campus and through social media.

"We aren't large enough to attract this number of employers for our students," said Kay Schwob, director of experiential learning at HU. "This allowed them an opportunity to meet with so many different employers. Even one our film students was able to make some connections."

In addition to networking opportunities and interview tips, the career fair provided a catered barbeque lunch, and students could get a professional photo taken without charge for use on their LinkedIn profiles.

"(NICE) is important because it gives both students and potential employers the opportunity to connect face to face," said Will Stauffer, senior communications studies major. "Nothing is guaranteed, but if you take the opportunity, something could happen."

For 23 years, the NICE Career Fair has been the leading job fair in northeastern Indiana. Nine accredited colleges and universities collaborate to bring employers, students and alumni together to discuss employment and internship opportunities. Along with HU, host colleges included Grace College, Indiana Tech, Indiana Wesleyan University, IPFW, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, Manchester University, Trine University and the University of Saint Francis.