The opportunity to network with potential employers in a more relaxed environment attracted hundreds of students to diversityCHAT@PSU.EDU yesterday afternoon at Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.
The event is the first of this week's series of career fairs. It was billed specifically for students of different ethnic and social backgrounds, although any student was welcome to attend.
"The central idea is to create networks for people who, because of their background and experience, may not have had the opportunities to create their own networks," Jack Rayman, senior director of career services, said.
An example of those students is first-generation college students with parents from non-professional careers, Rayman said.
"It's no secret that most employers want to diversify their workforce," he said.
The informal atmosphere at diversityCHAT drew Edward Lee-Eng (freshman-aerospace engineering) to the event. He said it was the setting that allowed him to talk to representatives from NASA about possible internships and employment.
"I think this is a good opportunity. If it weren't for this, I probably wouldn't have been able to talk to NASA in person," Lee-Eng said.
DiversityCHAT was the kickoff to the several-day career fair at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Non-Technical Recruitment fair will be held today. During this event, students with non-technical majors can meet with potential employers. Tomorrow is the Co-op and Internship Recruitment fair, and the Technical Recruitment fair is Thursday.
Despite the fairs' titles, students are encouraged to attend any fair if an employer he or she is interested in is there.
"If they want to talk to an employer who is here on a different day than what they're looking for, they should still come out," Chris MacGill, associate director of career services, said.
Employers said the opportunity to meet qualified entry-level employees made the career fair worthwhile.
"It's a very good, qualified candidate pool," Alex Steele, a representative from Progressive Insurance said.
Employers cover most of the cost of the fair, which includes logistics, renting the Bryce Jordan Center, food and refreshments, Rayman said. Because employers pay, almost all the services provided at the career fair are free to students.
Some employment representatives are also Penn State graduates, and several of them first got connected at the career fair.
"I got hired at the Penn State career fair four years ago," Jenna Bajoras, a representative from Bechtal Plant Machinery and class of 2003, said.
Tracy Allen (senior-supply chain and information systems) said attending the career fair last year helped her earn an internship.
