The Goshen College Career and Connections fair took place on Wednesday, at the College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall, hosted by GC Career Networks. Funded in part by the DHSI Title V grant, the event brought employers, alumni, and career experts to campus for a day of networking and professional development.

“So the Career Connections Fair kind of came out of an idea that we had last year about bringing back the career fair environment to the Goshen College campus,” said David Kendall, director of Career Networks. “But we didn’t want to just bring back a career fair. We wanted to add another level of engagement. And so we decided that we would add the workshop aspect to it as well.”Workshops covered topics like emotional intelligence in the workplace, career readiness and professional networking. “The goal was just to give students a little more of a step up, I guess, to be more prepared for the job market.” said Jan Kauffman, associate dean of student success and Title V project director.

While organizers were pleased with the event’s turnout, both Kauffman and Kendall hope more students will take advantage of future opportunities. “I feel like there could have been more student participation for sure,” she said. “But I don’t think about it in that regard. I just think about those who are here gained some really good, helpful information. So I count it all as a win.”

Students attending the fair said they appreciated both the networking opportunities and the exposure to local organizations.   “I went to about five or six tables, and I felt there was a lot of different opportunities, some within the community, out of the community,” said Adolfo Lopez Ordonez, a first-year elementary education major. “It was pretty nice.”

Caroline Lamb, a junior marine and environmental science major, said she was particularly interested in the Goshen AmeriCorps booth. “As an environmental science person, I really want to go talk to them because it seems like an interesting opportunity that’s very local,” she said.

Employers like Michael McHugh from EnFocus came to connect with students about internships and full-time positions. “We’re a nonprofit in the South Bend–Elkhart region, and we’re doing consulting for different regional companies here in South Bend and Elkhart,” McHugh said.

Karen Guerrero, a generalist at Cora Dale said her own internship at the organization turned into a full-time job after graduation. “Through that connection that had gone through Goshen College as an intern, I got my first job outside of just graduating,” she said.

Some campus guests tied the fair to larger campus themes, such as GC alumnus Raj Biyani ’92, who returned to receive the Culture for Service Award and speak in several classes.“I think that the potential for our students is tremendous,” Biyani said. “If you are in the right company, in the right industry, in the right location and the right geography then your impact will be multiplied.”

Kendall encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones when talking to employers. “Make yourself uncomfortable while you’re in college by talking to people,” he said. “Even if you’re nervous or fumble with your words, that goes a long way and people will remember that you approached them. Sometimes that’s how you know students end up with their internships.”

Despite busy schedules and first-year nerves, Lopez Ordonez said the fair was worthwhile: “I would say it’s a very good experience, especially networking, talking to more people around the community and around the area. I feel like it’s very nice and I feel like first-years should be here.”