Nearly 80 employers were on campus looking for summer help Thursday at the Summer Job Fair in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The job fair, organized by ISU Career Services, helps first- and second-year students meet seasonal employers that may lead to internships later, said Beverly Madden, director of career planning and placement services.

“The kind of experiences here help with internships in specific fields,” Madden said. “It’s a super opportunity for students to make connections with seasonal employers.”

Madden said many students have a harder time making connections early in their college years, and various classes and summer jobs are a good way to build references and useful skills for getting internships.

She also said these organizations can offer internships to students who have worked with them before.

The job fair is one of 12 events sponsored by Career Services and the various colleges.

Madden encouraged students from all majors to visit the employers on display.

“There isn’t a single job here that’s not directly related to somebody’s major,” she said.

An estimated 750 to 800 students attended the fair.

Some students were impressed by the fair’s setup.

“I like it. You wouldn’t necessarily see this stuff otherwise,” said Molly Weber, sophomore in animal science. She got a job through the career fair last year at Camp Lakewood in Missouri.

Many of the attendants were there with a particular employer in mind.

Liz Murdock, junior in exercise and sport science, made prior arrangements with her potential employer.

“I called about a job and they said I could meet them here,” she said.

She also noted the organization of the fair and the map/guides that were available.

“I’m impressed by this,” Murdock said.