Career Fairs on Campus Help Students Build Confidence and Expand Their Networks

Widener’s commitment to student success goes far beyond grades. The Office of Career Design and Development, or CDD, hosts a number of on-campus career fairs throughout the academic year to directly connect students with employers looking to hire Widener graduates.  

This year, the School of Business Administration revitalized its career fair with over 30 employers setting up in Lathem Hall to meet with students and share more about their organizations. 

From investment giants like Vanguard, to sports teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Union and Trenton Thunder, to smaller and family-owned entities, all areas of the business field were represented for students looking to jump start their search for an internship, co-op or career. 

Over 350 students attended this year’s career fair, donning their business casual attire with resumes in hand. Some of whom were actively looking for jobs or internships and others just looking to get experience and expand their network. 

Katrina Robinson, an assistant director in the Career Design and Development office, said career fairs are more than a place to look for a job. They are a space where students can develop professional skills, increase confidence, and make lasting connections. 
 
"The goal of our career fairs is to have students feel comfortable meeting with employers," Robinson said. “Students want to present as confident individuals who have something great to offer any employer”. 

Marquell Perry ’29, an economics major, appreciated the opportunity to help strengthen his skills speaking with employers and gaining experience and confidence with in-person networking opportunities. 

“I had wonderful conversations and got a lot of good advice,” Perry shared. “I’ve really been practicing socially and verbally getting my feet under me in conversation, and picking up anything I can from these experienced professionals to build my own professionalism.”

Other students had previous experience with career fairs and professional development opportunities. Sport and event management major Kelly Wall ’28, who is preparing for a spring co-op, has participated in similar career readiness programs as part of that process.

“[The career fair] was really good. I got to meet people from a lot of different areas on both sides of sport and event,” said Wall. “They gave me a different perspective, and I learned a lot and got a lot of useful information. And it’s nice having a person to contact from each organization that I have already built a relationship with.”

The School of Business Administration isn’t the only career fair planned for this year. CDD continues to expand and grow its offerings.
Other planned fairs include graduate professional studies, civil engineering and construction management, nursing, general engineering and criminal justice. Career fairs are free and open to all students to attend, regardless of major or class year. 

“It’s important to me that we have a good variety of employers there for students to connect with,” said Robinson. “We really want to make sure that all areas of the career field and industries are represented at our career fairs. There’s something for everybody!” 

In addition to on campus career fairs, CDD also hosts a number of other in-person and virtual events with major organizations such as Boeing and Merck, as well as workshops covering resume writing, interview prep and much more. 

Wall is still in search of a placement for her co-op, but she’s working closely with her resources on campus to help her land a great opportunity. Her advice to other students is to leverage all of the resources available, beginning with faculty. 

“Especially as a business major, it’s a lot more of who you know and your network rather than just what is on your resume and where you apply. Build those relationships with your professors. They know a lot of people,” she said. 

While Perry wasn’t initially planning to attend the career fair, his roommate gave him the encouragement to go and he’s glad he did. 

“If you don’t have time, make time. I had some really good conversations and picked up some possible opportunities for over the summer,” he said. “Any opportunity can be the opportunity. That’s the main takeaway I got.”