Strong demand for Penn College students at Career Fair

National hiring projections for the Class of 2026 may be modest, but employer demand for Pennsylvania College of Technology students at the institution’s Spring Career Fair was robust.

About 217 employers – from global corporations to regional entities – filled the college’s Bardo Gymnasium and Field House, offering nearly 2,300 full-time positions, 800-plus internships and scores of part-time opportunities.

“Even with a wintry mix of precipitation on the day of the event, more than 200 employers showed up, and that kind of commitment speaks volumes. It reflects the strong, lasting relationships Penn College has built with industry partners who understand the value of a Penn College education and the quality of students we produce. The employer turnout this spring is a testament to what makes this institution stand apart,” said Shelley L. Moore, senior director of the Center for Career Design.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2026 survey, employers are projecting a 1.6% increase in hiring for the Class of 2026, compared to last year. But Career Fair interactions between employers and the 1,136 students representing the schools of Business, Arts & Sciences, Engineering Technologies and Nursing & Health Sciences revealed a clear need for future Penn College graduates and their real-world, applied technology skills.

“The energy at the Career Fair never gets old. Watching students walk in with their resumes and walk out with real connections and opportunities is inspiring. The enthusiasm from both students and employers this spring made for an incredibly dynamic event,” said Stacey L. Girven, career events manager.

Automation, construction management, electrical, electronics, manufacturing and welding students were in particularly high demand, but interest in students from all disciplines was evident throughout the event, reflecting the college’s 98% graduate placement rate.

“Employer interest far exceeded capacity. We had a waitlist of over 100 companies,” Girven said. “We’ll provide those companies with opportunities to connect with our students this spring through on-campus recruiting visits, virtual recruiting and other initiatives.”

About 118 Penn College alumni returned to their alma mater to recruit students for various companies. They included 2022 welding & fabrication engineering technology graduate Christopher Bajek, a key account manager for Fronius USA LLC, and 2010 diesel technology alum Derrick Bowersox, a regional service manager for Bergey Corp.

“We are looking for full-time roles for welding, both in engineering and sales,” Bajek said. “Penn College has shown to be dedicated to giving students the best experience possible. The hands-on work, mixed with high-level theory, really produces some great people for the industry.”

When he was a student, Bajek connected with Fronius USA, a leading manufacturer of high-quality technology such as welding power sources, through a Penn College Career Fair. That initial contact led to an internship with the company and eventually the full-time position he enjoys today.

Fronius USA is a Penn College Corporate Tomorrow Maker and a member of the Millionaires Society ($1,000,000+) on the college’s Donor Wall.

In representing Bergey Corp., a family-owned company operating auto dealerships, truck centers and other auto service-related businesses, Bowersox was recruiting diesel, automotive, collision repair and welding students for the Corporate Tomorrow Maker.

“We have a lot of different opportunities in the automotive industry that we’re looking for, from commercial to consumer to truck body upfitting,” he said. “We have tons of different needs that we can pull from this school. What’s nice about Penn College students is that they go right into training and get better from the start. And they love the technology behind the industry.” 

Like Bergey Corp. and Fronius USA, Automatic Logic Corp. has been a consistent presence at Penn College Career Fairs. The company – a Corporate Tomorrow Maker and member of the Visionary Society ($100,000-$499,999) on the college’s Donor Wall – provides innovative building automation and control systems.

“We have a lot of success with the building automation program here and hire a lot of kids,” said Dustin Marshall, field engineer supervisor. “Just in Pittsburgh, we probably have five Penn College graduates out of 10 field engineers.”

High Steel Structures LLC, one of the largest steel fabricators in North America and a Visionary Society member, also has a long history of successfully recruiting students at the Career Fair. 

“We have quite a few Penn College grads in our Williamsport plant. We have a couple in our Lancaster plant as well,” said Greg Weitzel, superintendent of High Steel University, the company’s training program. “We get QC (quality control) techs from here. We get engineers from here. We get regular welders from here. Our High Concrete Group can get people from the construction program. There’s a variety of students we can get.

“Penn College students are easy to get through our training program. They get out on the shop floor, and they’re knowledgeable about what they’re going to be doing.”

ModCorr LLC, a manufacturer of modular, prefabricated and precast concrete solutions for correctional facilities, was a first-time Career Fair participant. The Texas-based company – a Corporate Tomorrow Maker – is opening a factory this summer in nearby Allenwood, where it will produce precision-grade prison cells. They were targeting welding, automation and HVAC students.

“We’re looking for full-time workers and offering internships that could lead to careers with the company,” said Jason Cox, director of quality assurance/quality control. “We do have some very good prospects. Very impressed. When we did a tour of the college, seeing the training the students are getting and the equipment that they have was amazing to us.” 

The consensus among students attending the Career Fair was gratitude for the event.

Joel C. Davis, of Newport, majoring in construction management, was attending his sixth Career Fair. The junior has a summer job lined up but was networking for the future.

“This gives a lot of kids that go to the school a free opportunity to get a job coming out of college, or even an internship,” he said. “For me, I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I have to even come to this.”

In expressing her appreciation, Eliza L. Welshans, of Jersey Shore, a sophomore human services & restorative justice student, said the Career Fair offers lasting benefits beyond employment opportunities.

“I’m really appreciative of how much they have gotten me out of my bubble,” she said. “I used to be very shy, but going up and just talking to people has made me feel a lot more confident.”

Matthew J. Bugbee, a junior from Red Lion studying building automation, offered perhaps the most succinct evaluation of the Career Fair when comparing it to the efforts of the previous college he attended.  

“Here, you kind of have to go out of your way not to get a job afterward,” he said.

Penn College’s next Career Fair, a two-day event, is scheduled for Oct. 6-7. Employer registration will open in early August.

For information on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.