Penn College students in demand at Career Fair

Pennsylvania College of Technology students and their real-world skills were in demand at the institution’s recent two-day Fall Career Fair.  

Nearly 430 employers – about 50 more than last fall’s event – filled the college’s Bardo Gymnasium and Field House, offering full-time employment and internship opportunities for students from the schools of Business, Arts & Sciences, Engineering Technologies and Nursing & Health Sciences.

“Fall is an important time for employers to connect with students for both internships and full-time employment. Many employers are already looking ahead to next summer while also thinking about the graduates they want to bring into their organizations,” explained Stacey L. Girven, career events manager. “They know our students have options, so they’re coming to campus prepared to make a strong impression and build relationships early.”

Construction management, electrical, automated manufacturing and machining, engineering design, welding, and electronics and computer engineering students were in particularly high demand. However, employers showed interest in students from all disciplines throughout the Career Fair, underscoring the college’s 98% graduate placement rate.

“The Career Fair demonstrates that Penn College students are moving beyond simply looking for a job. They’re emerging professionals who are prepared to have meaningful conversations, ask good questions and evaluate the opportunities available to them as they think about the careers and lives they want to build,” said Shelley L. Moore, senior director of the Center for Career Design. “Seeing employers and students come together with that kind of energy and purpose is a powerful reflection of the relationship Penn College has built with industry.”

About 2,030 students visited the Career Fair, including sophomore Anna R. Lundin, of Kersey, majoring in civil engineering technology. She targeted seven employers for a potential summer internship.

“I’m very fortunate to be at Penn College. The number one thing I get excited about is the Career Fair,” she said. “This opportunity is so great. Penn College prides itself in this, and it’s just an awesome thing they put together.”

The Career Fair was the first for freshmen Anthony J. Durso, of Tappan, New York, and Elijah A. Hott, of Warriors Mark.

Majoring in heating, ventilation and air conditioning engineering technology, Durso interacted with several employers to establish connections for possible future opportunities. “I think it’s awesome how many companies are actually here. It’s great,” he said.

An automotive service technician student, Hott pursued a summer internship. “There are definitely a lot of companies out here, and it’s pretty interesting trying to get a feel for all these different people,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful because it gives me the opportunity to get my name out there.”

The Career Fair was the seventh for automation engineering technology senior Zeke M. Foy, of Rockwood. “I think it’s very important for students here to be able to have the Career Fair to get hands-on practical experience talking to people. It’s good practice to have,” he said.

Sophomore construction management student Nerissa F. Storm, of Lock Haven, met with about 20 employers to discuss summer internship possibilities. “I think I’ve done pretty well over the past two days. I’ve had some really great conversations with people. It’s great to be able to talk to them.”

“What struck me most was how prepared our students were,” Moore said. “They knew who they were talking to, they asked thoughtful questions and they were evaluating opportunities for their future.”

Joseph Vas, product line manager for Siemens Energy Inc., agreed with that observation. He hoped to fill full-time and internship openings in the machining and welding group for the global company. A Penn College Corporate Tomorrow Maker, Siemens provides conventional and renewable energy solutions.

“The students are very well prepared. They have resumes and business cards,” Vas said. “They talk about what they’re learning in school and how they’re applying it to the real world. We’ve talked to freshmen as well as seniors. I think what you’re doing here is a good thing.”

Offering proof, Vas pointed to a stack of resumes representing strong Penn College candidates.

Georgeea Daskalopoulos, a talent acquisition and attraction specialist for A. Duie Pyle, also expressed appreciation for students’ preparation. The family-owned and operated trucking logistics company recruited diesel students.

“They are very polished and professional. They’re ready to speak to their experience and what they’re learning in class. They have good knowledge of the company. They’ve done their research. They have their elevator pitch down,” she said.

Representing 3D Agility, Bob Mulfinger, senior sales executive, engaged engineering design, polymer and manufacturing students for possible internships. The engineering company, a Corporate Tomorrow Maker, specializes in large-format 3D printing, 3D scanning and reverse engineering.

“We have quite a few prospects,” he said. “We know that a lot of Penn College students are very hands-on, and that’s what we need.”

More than 250 alumni with firsthand knowledge of the college’s applied technology approach represented companies at the Carer Fair. They included polymer engineering technology program graduates Steve Lacock, North America sales manager for Trinseo, and Robert Stutzman, CEO of Allegheny Performance Plastics LLC. 

Both Corporate Tomorrow Makers, Trinseo is a specialty material solutions provider, and Allegheny Performance Plastics specializes in high-performance thermoplastic components for advanced industries. 

“Penn College students have a hands-on understanding of polymers. We have a lab in Exton where we have pretty much everything that you have in your labs here,” said Lacock, class of 2001. “We use a lot of four-year graduates to come in and work as technicians.”

In addition to polymer students, Stutzman, a 1990 graduate, recruited manufacturing students. “We have a large toolmaking operation, so we have a big need for toolmaking and machinists,” he said. “Our workforce is getting older. We want more young people, but more importantly the program here is very hands-on compared to other places I go. The folks here tend to be more of our ilk.” 

Following the Career Fair, 32 companies remained on campus to conduct formal interviews with about 250 students. 

“Several employers shared their experiences on LinkedIn and had incredibly positive things to say about the students and the Career Fair,” Girven said. “When employers take the time to share what they experienced after they leave campus, that’s a pretty powerful indication of the quality of interactions happening here.”

From the student perspective, Alexander T.J. Hughes, a civil engineering technology senior from Coal Township, best summed up the Career Fair.  “You’re destined to find a company that’s looking for you,” he said.

Penn College’s next Career Fair is scheduled for March 2. Employer registration will open in mid-January.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.