ERIE, Pa. — Kallie Smith had a plan for Penn State Behrend’s fall Career and Internship Fair: Talk with three employers, ask the questions she had practiced and build confidence for another try in 2025.
“We’re going in and seeing what happens,” she said, pep-talking with a friend.
Smith, a business economics major, didn’t feel too much pressure: As a first-year student, she wasn’t yet ready for a job offer. She wanted to build experience talking with recruiters.
More than 1,400 students attended the career fair, which was held in Erie Hall. They met with representatives of 170 companies, including Honda, Westinghouse Electric and Bausch + Lomb.
For some, the clock was ticking: Students who plan to graduate in December, or in May, need to figure out their next step. For others, like Smith, the career fair was a practice run — an opportunity to explore career options, learn to network and refine an elevator pitch.
“Attending a career fair prepares students to be professional and comfortable talking with potential employers,” said Michelle Hartmann, associate director of corporate engagement at Behrend. “It’s important that they are able to explain how they can bring value to an employer, based on their talents.”
Hartmann and other members of the Career Services team met with students in advance of the career fair, and at the registration tables, to answer any questions and provide encouragement.
“I was nervous, of course, but it’s something you have to get over,” said Nick Belczyk, a first-year student in the chemistry program. “You have to be able to talk with people.”
Chelsea Wayne, a sophomore in the mechanical engineering program, hoped to build confidence while talking with recruiters. She, too, had attended the career fair as a first-year student.
“It’s good to come, to get an idea of what companies are looking for, so you can do research and see the different branches of engineering,” she said. “It builds your network, and you can really see what kind of engineering you want to focus on.”
She wore a lanyard that listed her major. That served as a visual shorthand when students introduced themselves.
Most recruiters were willing to talk with students who were still early in their academic path. Some had internships to fill; others look for students who stand out, regardless of their academic year.
“When we see somebody multiple times, the repetition and persistence put them on our radar,” said Tyler Williams, a vice president at Equitable Advisors in Erie. “It shows commitment and passion for their career.”
“It’s never too early to look for opportunities,” Hartmann said.