To accommodate representatives of 48 employers—and nearly 200 students eager to meet them—the Diversity Networking and Job Fair took over the entire lower level of the Student Center on Sept. 12.

The job fair was open to current Metro State students and alumni. Many attendees registered through Handshake, Metro State’s job search platform.

At the fair, they met with representatives from businesses, nonprofits and government. A photographer from LinkedIn Portraits was available to take professional headshots.

Marisa Kelly, administrative assistant for the Career Center, said the job fair kicks off the fall for the Career Center. Her department has made the event into an annual tradition and grown it over the last decade. She credits Jim Poole, the Career Center’s employer relations manager, for his efforts to build relationships and bring employers to campus.

At the job fair, employers were eager to meet prospective talent and fill vacancies. They asked students specifics about their college major and career interests. Many wanted to know: “When are you graduating?”

“Employers seem hungrier than usual,” said Mustafe Mahdi, an undergraduate student and Psychology Club treasurer. “It shows that the economy is doing well.”

With the multitude of internships and job opportunities, Mahdi considered the job fair “an event [all] should come to.”

Mahdi was impressed with the organization of the job fair and the variety of career options. He said it was an “easy environment and not nerve-wracking.”

He left the job fair feeling energized by the experience. He encouraged other students to share his optimism on career prospects after graduation.  

“Do something you like,” Mahdi said. “Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.”