Loyola sets attendance record with Career Fair
Posted by zarijea on February 22, 2012
Photo by Zarije Asani
More than 100 employers and up to 750 students networked Tuesday afternoon at Loyola University Chicago’s Career Fair at the Gentile Center.
The Career Development Center, which organized the event, serves as an active role creating contacts and relationships between students, alumni, and employers, giving students the opportunity to find jobs.
“I enjoy being able to connect students to their future starting them on their career paths as well as internships or employment,” said Martin Gahbauer, Employer Relations Coordinator for the Career Development Center.
The Career Fair reported having 104 employers and an estimated attendance of 550-750 students and alumni.
“This is the largest spring fair since 2006,” Gahbauer. “Loyola’s reputation is growing and because of that more organizations are attending.”
The fair had a variety of organizations, including Apple, Target and ING, that offer employment opportunities.
“We have attended the Career Fair since it started,” said Erika Milonas, Director of Campus Recruitment for McTigue Financial Group Northwestern Mutual. “My mission is to help students find out if our internship is right for them.”
Some agencies are returning due to Loyola’s past employee successes.
“The students at Loyola are really good, we actually hired a couple of graduates last semester, so we’re coming back,” said Travis Wolfe, Sales Manager for ING Financial. “We are looking to hire a good financial adviser as well as some interns.”
Some students were looking into the open possibilities that Career Fair has to offer.
“I came here to see what health care opportunities are available to me as a sophomore,” said Lyndsey Booker, 20, sophomore, biology major.
Other students were looking forward to learning and gaining professional work experience through the variety of available network of employers.
“I’ve came to the Career Fair for two years now, and I like how we learn to articulate to a potential employer through a set time and space,” said Sebastian Villa, 19, sophomore, history and Spanish major.
The Career Fair is open to all students to learn and grow as well as developing employment skills.
“The sweet spot are usually sophomore, juniors, and seniors but I think freshman gain a lot from coming here, talking to employers is a great learning experience,” Gahbauer said.
