University of Maine engineering students attended the Engineering Job Fair at the New Balance Recreation Center this past Wednesday, Oct. 17. For this event, about 134 different companies were present, ranging from construction to energy and everything in between.
This event served as an opportunity for students in the College of Engineering to scope out career options and internships. In a web post called “Career Fair Tips,” the UMaine Career Center encouraged student to come prepared with their resumes, a sales pitch and their best networking skills. To which many students took advantage of; one student even reported to have given out at least twenty resumes in their time there.
Many students in attendance were third and fourth-years trying to impress potential future employers. Danny Bullard, a fourth-year electrical engineering technology student, fell into that category of participant
“Since I’m a senior, I am here looking for the job opportunities and for the chance to do some networking. I should have done more research, but it’s a great chance to get a feel for the engineering job market,” Bullard said.
Also in attendance were some first and second-year students coming to check out the companies that were attending, give out their resumes and network.
With opportunities like the job fair, the engineering program at UMaine provides a good deal of post-graduate job security compared to some other majors. The general UMaine Career Fair held in the spring semester of 2018 was advertised to all UMaine students regardless of major and drew a total of 136 employers. This job fair, devoted exclusively to engineering majors, had 159 companies in attendance.
Kyle Claus is a third-year electrical engineering technology major and has plenty of confidence in his future career prospects.
“As long as you have something in mind, you’ll find a job that has some pretty good pay,” Claus said.
A recent UMaine alumnus was also in attendance at the Engineering Job Fair — this time not in search for gainful employment but rather tabling for the company he now works for. Rylan Norris, who graduated last May with a degree in mechanical engineering technology, gave some insight into the employment opportunities afforded to all students at UMaine.
“UMaine provided a lot of opportunities to ensure students have options after graduation; from the Career Center, to job fairs such as this and the ability to work with your department,” Norris said.
As the job fair continues to grow with each year — from 127 different companies last year to 159 this year, according to the Career Center — engineering students may continue to see the chance to take advantage of the opportunities presented to in events such as these. Students in majors outside engineering can look forward to the general UMaine Career Fair on Feb. 6, 2019.
