Besides being busy completing class and laboratory assignments, the pace is really picking up this fall for students looking ahead to their futures through a variety of opportunities provided by the Office of Career Services and Employer Relations.

The institute’s Virtual Fall Career Fair had 1,248 students conducting 4,485 one-on-one sessions and 179 group interviews with 143 employers from throughout the country.

And, a Virtual Graduate School Fair, brought a record 116 programs online to talk with 147 students about continuing education in their career fields.

Now, students are beginning to conduct follow-up interviews and reviewing the next steps for finding full-time, internship and co-op work options, along with possibly attending graduate school.

“We’re off to a great start when you take into account the ever-changing circumstances of the post-COVID-19 economy. It has required patience by the students and the companies. October has brought more interview activity and we’re expecting to see a robust winter and spring,” said Scott Tieken, director of career services and employer relations. “Students are getting interviews for internships and our seniors are getting job offers, just like normal. The virtual world has opened some new opportunities for our students, and they’re taking advantage of every one of them.”

Nearly 100 students prepared for the Virtual Career Fair by having their resumes and interview skills reviewed by corporate recruiters from Marathon Petroleum and Cornerstone Controls. Students have also taken advantage of the Office of Career Services’ new pop-up self-help online tools, provided through Moodle software, and a new CareerCast video service to learn about career options and best ways to take advantage of them.

“We’re trying to help the students put their best foot forward. They already have the skills that employers are seeking for the innovative jobs of today and the future,” said Tieken. “The students are really engaged (in the career services process) this year and that is encouraging to see.”

Instead of filling booths throughout the campus’ fieldhouse, companies had online rooms with the Handshake recruiting platform, where students could visit and exchange information throughout the five-hour Virtual Fall Career Fair on September 30. Then, companies identified students for follow-up telephone and virtual interviews.

Companies participating included Alison Transmission, AstraZeneca, Boston Scientific, Caterpillar, Collins Aerospace, Edgile, Eli Lilly and Company, Endress+Hauser, Epic, Fiat Chrysler, GE Appliances, General Motors, Honeywell, Infosys, International Paper, Kimley-Horn, Milwaukee Tool, Motorola Solutions, Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane, North American Lighting, Raytheon Technologies, Software Engineering Professionals, Steel Dynamics, and Texas Instruments.

Historically, 70% of Rose-Hulman graduating students have had at least two internship or co-op work experiences, and 22% of first-year students have gained a summer internship. These are valuable opportunities that allow students to explore their career fields, expand their leadership and teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their skills.

Find out more about career services opportunities by clicking here.