Career FEST Begins September 3

For several years, the twice-yearly Career Fairs at Michigan Technological University have provided a setting for hundreds of companies, leaders in their respective fields, to find the recruits they’re looking for. The Fall and Spring Fairs bring recruiters to the Houghton campus offering undergraduate and graduate students jobs, co-ops, internships and a host of career-defining opportunities.

For the first time this year, the University is making Career Fairs the centerpieces of dozens of events throughout  the school year.

Career FEST

The inaugural Career FEST kicks off Industry Days on Sept. 3. Over the ensuing eight weeks, Industry Days will give students the opportunity to learn more about the types of professions in which they may want to work. Industry leaders will be on campus to provide hands-on opportunities and one-on-one conversations with recruiters.

Throughout Career FEST, a big tent will be set up in the center of campus, where students can get a first-hand look at specific industries and  meet the individuals who work in them. 

The event will begin with Foundry Day on Sept. 3, featuring a cupola furnace, a melting device used in foundries, in action inside the Career FEST tent.

Automotive Day

Automotive Day on Sept 10 will feature presentations by Detroit’s Big Three and major automotive suppliers. Automotive Day’s activities are so abundant, they can’t be contained in the big tent alone, so many presentations will take place in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

Steve Patchin, director of career services says Career FEST evolved out of needs brought to light by students. “Career FEST is a response to students wanting to get to know what careers exist for them in different industries and explore each company’s culture.”

He says successful recruiters are gravitating toward behavioral-based interviews, allowing them to discover the personality of the students they meet and how it fits into their corporate community. “Career FEST creates an informal atmosphere of hands-on exploration that helps match Tech talent with the needs of industry.”

Energy Day, Career Success Days, Steel Day, Information Tech Day and the Going Global Seminar all are scheduled for September, leading up to the big day, Fall Career Fair, Sept. 29. All indications point to a record number of companies participating, upwards of 350.

Career Fair

In anticipation of the Fall Career Fair, Career Services has set up a Learning Center in Room 220 of the Administration Building. Coaches will help students with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, networking skills, writing an interview thank-you, deadline extension requests and much more. Walk-in hours for 15-minute sessions are available from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. Fridays. 30-minute sessions are available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment.

Shelly Farrey, coordinator for career development and corporate event promotions, says the events highlighting specific industries give students more information when meeting and perhaps interviewing with industry officials.

“This is an excellent opportunity to connect students with companies in an informal setting,” Farrey says. “Students may not be aware of the many opportunities available to them within a variety of industries. They may find their dream job just by stopping by the Career FEST tent and meeting a company representative from an industry they’ve never really thought about before.”

Farrey says with all the interactive, hands-on events, students will be able to see for themselves “what it’s like to work in a specific industry.”

Career FEST events continue well past the Fall Career Fair itself. Business Career Day, Mining Day and two special series, “Following Up With Your Interview” and “Learn About Your Benefits Package” take place in the month of October.

More special series, mock interview opportunities and a resume writing workshop will be held in anticipation of the Spring Career Fair on February 16.

For more information on Career FEST or to RSVP, log on to HuskyJOBS.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.