Cleveland State University’s Office of Career Development and Exploration (CDE) held its largest career fair yet, on Wednesday, taking over all three floors of the Student Center and the first floor of Berkman Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The career fair gave over 940 Cleveland State, Baldwin Wallace, John Carroll and Tri-C students and alumni the opportunity to connect with more than 145 employers in logistics, insurance, human resources, financial, behavioral health, real estate, community and government, engineering and more. 

Attendees bounced from table to table, receiving goodies like pens, notepads and cups, along with the chance to network and cultivate connections for internships, job opportunities, and mentorships.

_{Cleveland State University’s Office of Career Development and Exploration held their largest career fair of the year hosting over 940 students and alumni and over 145 employers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 1. (credit: Abigail Preiszig)}

Violet, a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University studying to be a civil engineer, stood nervously by her company of interest, resume in hand, determined to land a job or internship, and practice her networking skills. For students like her, the fair served as an opportunity to speak to companies like Shook Construction and Gilbane that haven’t visited her school. 

“This is my first time attending any events like career fair,” Violet said. “Looking for internships isn’t very easy for me because I'm an international student and a lot of companies don't accept OPT or CPT, so I need to look extra hard. I just decide to come to different career fairs to practice, or just to seek different opportunities.”

Attendees were encouraged to bring copies of their resume and visit the Career Support Hub, located central to the event on the ground floor of the Student Center, to chat with a CDE Coach. The CDE coaches assisted students and alumni in preparing to interact with employers and pave the way to pursue their future. 

Beyond events like the fair, CDE coaches are available to students and alumni  year round in their office in Rhodes Tower and online. 

“In Career Development and Exploration, it is our vision to best serve all CSU students by providing relevant and forward thinking programs,” CDE director Brittany Wampler said. “Placing the campus wide fair in a public space in the middle of campus, making sure all students feel welcome and included is central to the mission!"

Wampler is passionate about CDE's work. "It is my dream that when students graduate they know where they are headed next – into graduate, professional or law school or into the workforce.” 

Wampler believes that one of the best proofs of an education is a tangible outcome like a job offer or acceptance into graduate or professional programs. She sees it as the CDE’s mission to help students and alumni work toward those goals. 

_{Attendees were entered for a chance to win $10,000 worth of prizes by registering for Cleveland State’s career fair on March 1 through Handshake, or checking in at one of four check-in points. (credit: Abigail Preiszig)}

The career fair not only benefits students and alumni. It's a chance for employers like Avient and Sherwin-Williams Company – two of the event's many sponsors – to showcase the job opportunities they have, scope out talent and make connections. 

“As a recruiter I enjoy coming to these career fairs because it's a way to make a face-to-face connection with students and obviously network,” Abbey Strauss, a talent acquisition specialist for Sherwin-Williams, explained. “Hopefully find potential candidates.” 

Students and alumni who registered for the event through Handshake, or checked in at one of four check-in points, were entered for a chance to win over $10,000 worth of giveaways, including a “swag bag,” tickets to Cleveland sports games and one undergraduate’s in-state tuition for the fall 2023 semester.

The Office of Career Development and Exploration is located at Rhodes Tower West 280 and offers career coaching opportunities in-person, online and through various year-round events. 

CDE’s upcoming events include on March 7 a workshop about micro-internships,and on March 28, Negotiating Power of Women: a Panel Conversation. More information and events can be found here.