Job seekers connect with opportunities at Career and Internship Fair

Hundreds of Furman University students had the chance to put their handshakes to the test Thursday at the 2024 Career and Internship Fair in the Trone Student Center.

Employers had the chance to find job-seeking students during the Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, October 17th, 2024.

The annual fall fair is the flagship recruiting opportunity for employers seeking Furman-caliber talent, said Jennifer Stoner, assistant director of employer engagement in Furman’s Malone Center for Career Engagement. A collaboration between the Malone Center and the Center for Engaged Learning Internship Office, this event connects students with employers ranging from multinational corporations to local nonprofits. The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 2, but Hurricane Helene’s impact meant staff had to pivot quickly to reschedule the fair to Thursday.

Staff at The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health coordinated its annual Community Health Showcase alongside the Career and Internship Fair, highlighting community health careers from 17 local partners. This year the fair featured a student support desk, where job seekers could talk with career advising staff on how to engage with employers. For weeks before the fair, the Internship Office and the Malone Center’s staff had drop-in hours, helping students get their resumes reviewed. The Malone Center sponsored a Career Closet for students to find gently used professional clothing, donated free of charge.

“The Career and Internship Fair prepares students for careers in a number of ways, from engaging in professional conversations to researching companies and reflecting on the opportunities and cultures that best match their aspirations,” Stoner said. “Getting into this arena early on in a student’s collegiate career will help them get comfortable in professional settings and gain valuable experiences to inform their Furman journey.”

Building connections

For Claire Bray ’07, executive director of recruitment at financial services firm Northwestern Mutual, eight years of networking with Furman students for internship and career opportunities has given her the chance to be a resource to them, as well.

“I know that they will be equipped with a diverse set of skills based on their experiences both in and outside of the classroom,” she said. “I know the importance of building strong connections and meaningful relationships and want to make sure I do that in return for the next generation of Furman alumni.”

The Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, October 17th, 2024 offered students the chance to connect with employers ranging from multinational corporations to local nonprofits.

The opportunity to meet students face-to-face at the Career and Internship Fair lets employers find students who share their organization’s core values, and who have picked up relevant skills during their college experience, said Joey Malamug ’02, recruiting manager for Greenville-based technology distributor ScanSource.

“As a Furman alum, I have the advantage of knowing the academic programs and standards of the institution,” he said. “I’m able to easily connect and engage with students over a shared college experience.”