Exploring options and making connections at the Career and Internship Fair

More than 300 students came through the Trone Student Center’s Watkins Room on Sept. 27 for the 2023 Career and Internship Fair, and recruiters from 50 companies were glad to meet them.

The Career and Internship Fair was held in the Watkins Room at the Trone Student Center on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

“We find that employers are keen to recruit at Furman because of the caliber of students here and their well-rounded education,” said Jennifer Stoner, assistant director of employer engagement at the Malone Center for Career Engagement. “I cannot tell you how many times an employer has told me that their Furman interns and post-graduation hires have been so impressive that they are motivated to come back for future hiring needs.”

Students came prepared to discuss opportunities in finance, insurance, technology, manufacturing, marketing, health care, education, fine arts and other industries.

“We work with Furman alumni and our network across a broad range of employers to help our students learn about opportunities and career paths, and to have their applications thoughtfully considered through the hiring process,” said Stoner.

‘A different level of professionalism’

Chuck Ellingsworth (left) from Raymond James speaks with Mia Mantovani ’26 at the Career and Internship Fair.

Chuck Ellingsworth, a managing director at wealth management firm Raymond James, was enthusiastic about returning to campus after participating in a live capital finance project with several business students in 2022.

“The questions they asked and the interest that they showed in the process tells me that they were critical thinkers and would be good employees within all areas of Raymond James,” he said. “We currently don’t have a lot of Furman graduates, but we want to change that based on that experience.”

Greenville-based technology distributor ScanSource does have several Furman alumni among its employees, including the company’s manager of recruiting, who returned to his alma mater for the Career and Internship Fair.

“There’s a different level of professionalism,” said Joey Malamug ’02, who was seeking internship candidates for the summer of 2024. “Students come to us very well prepared, whether it be for an event or an interview – just representing the Furman brand.”

Support for success

Joey Malamug ’02 (right), manager of recruiting for ScanSource, talks with Katie Rudins ’26 at the 2023 Career and Internship Fair.

“Furman students are bright and intentional,” said Sally Bissada-Lassiter, associate director of Gateway, a rehabilitation program, there to meet potential interns and employees. “They want to change the world, and they’re given lots of great support. The design of how Furman helps students navigate the process is strong and purposeful.”

William Kenny ’24, an anthropology major, has seen that support firsthand.

“Furman does a good job of preparing you for life after graduation,” said Kenny, who made “promising connections” with representatives from the Greenville Drive baseball team, the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty soccer clubs and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate. “I’m ready to get out in the world and be an independent adult, building a career – really, getting to build myself.”

Peyton Wade ’25, a French and communication studies double major, is hoping to find “a communications role tied in with French.” Although she would like to live and work in Europe eventually, she came to the Career and Internship Fair with an eye toward working closer to home.

“I really liked some of the employers that I talked to,” she said. “A lot of them are excited to hire interns, so I’m definitely interested in applying.”

Showcasing community health

That afternoon, many students also took the short walk down to Hartness Pavilion for the Community Health Showcase, presented by The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health in collaboration with the Career and Internship Fair. There, they had the opportunity to network with organizations like Bon Secours St. Francis, Prisma Health, YMCA of Greenville, the Upstate Medical-Legal Partnership, Piedmont Women’s Center, 864Pride and the Queer Wellness Center.

“I’ve always gone to every single Community Health Showcase,” said Puspanjali Gurung ’24. “As a public health major, I want to get some work experience right after graduation, so this is perfect for knowing which organizations are available in Greenville and the South.”