Job fair attracts 1,000 students

Almost 1,000 University students sought summer employment at yesterday's 25th annual Multicultural Internship and Summer Job Fair at the Michigan Union.

From advertising and computer programming corporations to engineering firms and the FBI, students had 86 booths from which to choose.

Coordinated by Career Planning and Placement, the event is one of many organized by CP&P to assist students in finding employment.

"This is a great way for students and employers to connect on campus, for internship opportunities or full-time positions," said Career Events Manager Sally Schueneman.

Most students said they sought employment opportunities related to their future career plans to give them first-hand experience in their intended field of work.

DHANI JONES/Daily Engineering senior Arthur Hutchinson looks over some information given to him by Jodi Bennett, a recruiter for Anderson Consulting, at a job fair in the Michigan Union yesterday afternoon.

"Right now, my summer jobs have consisted of weeding flower gardens ... I think I want something a little closer to my future job," LSA sophomore Brandon Root said.

"I'm looking for an internship before I go into a graduate program ... specifically, I need some hands-on job experience in the field of space propulsion," Engineering junior Murat Celik said. "I was surprised to see so many engineering corporations - I didn't expect such a broad variety here."

Some students who attended the fair said they were glad CP&P provides these career planning services.

"I was really glad they had this job fair," LSA junior Bob Herrera said. "It gave me a chance to get my resumes out, and I got to talk to different employers, who were all very informative," he said.

Employers also said they were glad to be interacting with potential employees and were pleased with what they saw.

"This is the best group we have ever had," said Central Intelligence Agency representative Mike Lechlitner. "These students are fabulous. They are extremely well prepared, intelligent, and very personable."

Although it is considered a very successful event with a consistently high turnout, CP&P representatives said the job fair is only one of many events organized to help students in their career planning.

"Our mission is to serve all students in all class levels," said Kerin Borland, senior associate director of CP&P. "Besides a host of different job opportunities - such as job fairs - we also critique resumes and cover letters, offer counseling appointments and help students relate their major to a potential career."

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