A few weeks ago we attended the Youngstown State University (YSU) STEM Career Fair and had an opportunity to speak to many of the companies. What we found is that career fairs are extremely important to attend, both for companies and for students. Not just because they are an opportunity to hand out a resume, but they’re also an opportunity to close the skills gap. These face to face interactions can show students the opportunities that are available. Additionally, companies can offer them career advice for the real world. 

The glue that brings these students and companies together are the universities. Not only do universities educate students, they also offer them exposure to opportunities while pursuing or after graduation. Sherri Hrusovski is the Director of Youngstown State University’s College of STEM Professional Services and plays a key role in providing the glue. The STEM Professional Services is designed to provide qualified students the opportunity to relate their academic training to a unique hands-on opportunity in their chosen discipline. The program teaches them the fundamentals of professional preparation and the appropriate steps on how to obtain an experiential learning experience.

According to Ms. Hrusovski, the companies attending the YSU Career Fairs have grown over the years. In Fall of 2015, 41 employers attended the career fair, which grew to 65 employers in Fall 2016. Spring 2016 saw an attendance of 42 employers and increased to 64 employers in Spring of 2017. 

The growing number of employers means more exposure for companies and students to have a sense of the current state of the STEM workforce. Like many of the companies, Hrusovski feels these events are great networking opportunities. 

“These events are vital bridges that connect students/alumni and employers,” Hrusovski said. They are an “[o]pportunity for students to network with people from different industries, explore diverse career fields, [and] gain personal insight from the employers.” These events expand and develop their personal space and realm of people.

In order for a career fair to be successful, there must be goals put into place and actions taken to maximize benefit. Before the career fair begins, YSU uses a database to invite past and current employers to register for the event. These attendees are most likely to return. However, YSU wants to expand beyond its current companies.

“We are always seeking new STEM employers,” says Hrusovski, “I also market through social media, the news media, and organizations such as MVMC (Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition), and I do cold calling to recruit new employers.”

Based upon its growing numbers of attendees at career fairs since 2015, YSU has made advances.

Employers have been very happy with students, but also as we learned when speaking to them, there are some areas of improvement that could be made. 

According to Hrusovski, “[S]tudents need to research the companies ahead of time, and students should work on introducing themselves to employers.” 

Attending a career fair requires preparation. It is true that the more you put into a career fair, the more you will get out of it. 

Youngstown State University offers a variety of resources to students to seek before attending a fair. In order to make the most out of a career fair, Hrusovski recommends that students take advantage of these offerings to prepare through the STEM Professional Service Office at the University. Students should consider scheduling appointments at the STEM Professional Service Office to start their career. The office can assist with resumes, cover letters and reference pages, as well as interviewing techniques, and how to follow-up with employers. Students will also have access to the STEM Clearinghouse Database (for current STEM students and Alumni).

Students can also participate in on-campus interviews; information sessions, Lunch ‘N Learn, recruitment sessions offered by various companies; attend workshops; and attend fall and spring career events.

This year marks the very first year that YSU will be able to measure the success of its College of STEM Professional Services Office. The office has become the one stop shop for STEM employers, students, and alumni who are seeking internships/co-ops, full-time, and research experiences.               

“Eventually, I want to gather more information on how many of our students have been given either internships/co-ops or full-time opportunities upon graduation,” Hrusovski said.

As the program grows, she hopes to continue to measure its success and the impact it has had on such things as creating jobs and getting students the opportunity to have a second interview at a company.

For those companies concerned with the disconnect between classrooms and the workforce, programs like the YSU STEM Professional Services will be crucial in connecting students to employers. 

 

Related Links

STEM, The Fastener Museum