Potential employers and internship opportunities greeted students in the student center throughout the past week.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 4, and ending on Thursday, April 6, Keene State College Career Services began Career Week. For three days, over 40 different employers came to table in the student center at Keene State in hopes of garnering interest from students, as well as giving information about potential internship opportunities.
Each day, students checked in at the Career Services table where they would be given a name tag that also stated their major. Also at these tables were pieces of paper which helped coach students and prepare them for the types of things that they should say to different businesses and the information they may want to give them, such as what they’re studying and what experience they have in different fields.
On the topic of what sorts of opportunities become available to students who attend Career Week, Career Services’ Internship Coordinator Kristin Brooks stated, “There’s a wide variety of opportunities that students are exposed to while they attend any of our career and internship fairs. So whether you’re a first-year or second-year looking for internship experience, or even a rising senior this upcoming year, you will be exposed to internships, part time jobs, and even full time jobs for our seniors too. Lots of employers are looking for a variety of summertime interns as well as full time employers.”
The first day of Career Week was centered on business, finance and media, and was contained entirely within the flag room of the student center. Nine different businesses tabled, including New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), Alku, C&S Wholesale, and Moore Agencies. Different tables offered different items themed around their business, such as the fruit shaped stress balls that were given away at the C&S Wholesale table and the podcast directory pamphlets at the NHPR table.
When asked about what they hoped to come away from this career fair with, a representative from C&S Wholesale stated, “Getting the attention of anyone who’s interested and looking to grow and develop a career with our company, and anyone interested in advancement and development opportunities in the future.”
The second day of Career Week was focused on social sciences, health care and government, and expanded from beyond the flag room to the entirety of the student center. While 23 employers were scheduled to table on this day, only 22 businesses came. Businesses that were available included Darmouth Health, Chesco, the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the Boys and Girls Club of New Hampshire and the Monadnock Developmental Servies. First-year student Sarah Downie was in attendance on this day, and when asked about what she hoped to get out of the event, Downie said, “I’m just hoping to find a lot of new opportunities and meet people I never would have thought I’d meet. I get to put faces to organizations.”
The final day of Career Week was based around manufacturing, science and technology. 10 employers were present on this day, including Fastenal, Recitech, New England Wire Products, Green Source and TPI Staffing. It was noted by the Internship Advisor of Career Services Heather Herring that a lot of the individuals who were tabling in support of their company were alumni of Keene State College.
One individual who was present, who is not an alumni of Keene State College, was George Hansel, the Mayor of Keene. Hansel was representing Filtrine Manufacturing Company, which his family has worked in for generations. According to Hansel’s own website, he was once the Vice President of the company, before shifting his focus to politics.
Following the conclusion of the final day, Academic Advisor for Career Services Anthoney Senidey stated, “I feel like it was a great turnout. I feel the students today were very prepared for the fair. I saw students dressed with shoes, khakis, something more professional than they would normally wear. They were ready to come in and meet recruiters.”
Zach Murphy can be contacted at
zmurphy@kscequinox.com
“I’m just hoping to find a lot of new opportunities and meet people I never would have thought I’d meet,”
SARAH DOWNIE
KSC FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
