Career and Internship Fair Advances University鈥檚 Commitment of Connecting Students with Employers
Students and employers recently filled the Beckerman Recreation Center for two days of networking and career exploration.
September 19, 2025
By Caitlin Truesdale, Office of Marketing and Communications
Students connect with recruiters during the AV天堂网鈥檚 Fall 2025 Career and Internship Fair.
The Beckerman Recreation Center buzzed with energy during the Fall 2025 Career and Internship Fair, where students dressed in professional attire met with recruiters and organization representatives, resumes in hand. Over two days, employers from industries such as business, healthcare, engineering, science, and the arts met with students eager to make inroads into the professional world.
It was a constantly bustling room with students shaking hands, exchanging resumes, and engaging in conversations that could open the door to future opportunities.
While some students sought internships or full-time roles, others came simply to explore. The event gave them the opportunity to test the waters and discover possibilities they might not have considered before.
For many, it was also a chance to practice speaking with professionals and gain confidence. Nicholas Rodriguez 鈥29, an engineering major, shared, 鈥淚 first went to a company, and I stuttered through it all. After talking to more companies, I started to feel more confident. It was a great chance to practice talking with employers since this was my first experience.鈥
Employers praised the energy and preparation of students.
鈥業t鈥檚 always buzzing at the AV天堂网鈥
Employers shared that the energy and preparation of students brought stood out. Christopher Bishop, a business development specialist at Microboard emphasized how the Career Fair creates connections that extend beyond the event itself.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always buzzing at the AV天堂网,鈥 he said. 鈥淚nteracting with the students here at the career fair kicks off a series of other engagement opportunities. Overall, we always come excited and prepared, and the students do, too.鈥
Students echoed that preparation was key. Declan McGrellis 鈥26, an electrical and computer science major, said, 鈥淚 updated my resume to prepare for today. I also worked on my pitch. I came last year, too, and it鈥檚 nice to see some of the same companies along with new ones I can introduce myself to for the first time.鈥
Kacey Daly 鈥26 M.S., an environmental engineering graduate student, added, 鈥淭he University gives us a lot of resources to help prepare for the job search, whether it was a resume building in class or events through the Career Development Center. Everything helps get you out there and realize what jobs are available.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 always great to see a lot of the next generation that鈥檚 coming in and emerging in this workforce,鈥 Bishop said. 鈥淭hey ask really great questions and show genuine interest in what Connecticut industries have to offer.鈥
'My intention was to feel out the job market鈥
For some students, the Career Fair was an introduction to the job market and a chance to explore what industries had to offer. Elijah Detrick 鈥27 M.A., a graduate student in industrial-organizational psychology, said, 鈥淢y intention was really just to feel out the job market and look at what opportunities would be out there for me. I鈥檓 on an information gathering quest. I鈥檓 testing the water without expectations.鈥
The Career Fair offered students opportunities to network, practice, and gain confidence.
Kaolin Bencazar 鈥27 used the fair to support friends and prepare for her own career search. 鈥淚 went on day one to help prep a friend,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e rehearsed together what she would say to employers. I came back the next day after looking at the list of companies, and I鈥檓 prepared to start looking for internships, especially in healthcare and sports medicine.鈥
Etienne Niyokuri 鈥27 said he made a point to attend both days as well. 鈥淚 came the day before to see what it looked like and to be more prepared,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in finding job opportunities, whatever they may be.鈥
鈥淭he practice is one of the best parts of this,鈥 Detrick said. 鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 walk away with an offer, you walk away more confident for the next time.鈥
鈥業t makes the transition into the career field more real鈥
For some students the Career Fair meant making their first professional introductions; for others, it meant solidifying a career path.
Daly reflected that the Career Fair reinforced what she has learned in her classes and from faculty mentors. 鈥淭he preparation and the exposure to employers help you realize what鈥檚 out there,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t makes the transition into the career field more real.鈥
As the event wrapped up, students left with a stronger sense of confidence and new connections to carry forward. 鈥淗opefully I got something out of this,鈥 Rodriguez said. 鈥淏ut even if not, I know I鈥檓 better prepared for the next time.鈥