Number of companies at Career Fair increase
Jonathan Probst, left, senior in finance, hands his resumŽ to an AIG employee at Fall 2008 Business/LAS Career Fair at Hilton Coliseum on Wed., Sept. 24, 2008. Many fear that a crumbling economy could lead to higher unemployment, making job searching more stressful for college students. Photo: Shing Kai Chan/Iowa State Daily
September 23, 2008
Despite the current state of the economy, the number of companies at this year’s career fair grew from last year’s total.
Kathy Wieland, program coordinator for business career services, reported 187 companies attended the career fair, compared to 183 in 2007.
“The demand for college talent continues to be strong,” Wieland said. “Sectors that are especially behind this driving force include manufacturing, agriculture and technology.”
Joni Dahl, a supply chain analyst at 3M, agrees that the recruiting field is strong.
“We are still actively recruiting and have the same numbers as last year,” she said.
Another area that doesn’t seem to be lacking is the medical field. Vera Prisacari, freshman in pre-med, said that medical school is always competitive, despite the fact the U.S. is in an economic crisis.
“They’re looking for full résumés, volunteers, and people who want to do summer internships,” Prisacari said. “[The economy] could have an effect on the way people look and how successful they are at finding a job. Matching students to available options may be tough.”
Federated Insurance isn’t feeling many effects of the current economic state. Luane VanderBerg, employment manager with Federated Insurance said they are a mutual fund insurance company, meaning that policy owners, not stockholders, own them.
“We are hiring slightly under what we did last year, but this is because we are more fully staffed than we were then,” VanderBerg said.
The representative from AIG, was unable to comment on whether the economic state is affecting the company due to company policy.
Wieland did say there weren’t as many companies in the financial services area, nor companies that produce home building products and commercial real estate businesses.
Selin Gönen, graduate student in economics, didn’t think the economy will have an immediate effect on her ability to find a job after graduation.
“It will have an effect, but it will probably won’t take notice right away,” Gönen said. “I have still been able to see employers and get to know them.”
