On Wednesday, April 12, the Career and Internship Center hosted their annual Spring Career and Internship Fair. Fifty employers filled the multi-purpose gym in the SHAPE facility, ready to speak with Johnson State College students who were looking to further their careers.

 
Employers included Edward Jones Investment, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Stowe Mountain Resort, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, YMCA Camp Abnaki, Green Mountain Support Service, Vermont Federal Credit Union, Union Bank, JSC Graduate Program and Peace Corps.

 
According to Career and Development Coordinator Beth Walsh, 150 students attended this year’s career fair. Those students who did attend networked with employers, exchanged resumes for business cards and walked away with free stickers informational packets.

 
“Those are about our normal numbers,” said Walsh. “I’ve had as much as 214 students one semester, and I’d like to get back to that sweet spot.”

 
Internship Program Coordinator Ellen Hill feels that the event has the potential to bring in upwards of 300 students.

 
“This is a great place to seek internships or part-time jobs or full-time jobs,” said Hill. “Even just to see what businesses are out there for students that might not even be looking for something right now, it’s still a great opportunity for them to go dress business casual, meet employers, do some research, ask some questions and start networking.”

 
Leah Foster, a senior in the psychology department, attended the career fair and is currently looking for a job in an organization that works with youth who have experienced developmental trauma.

 
“There were employers that I was interested in. I actually had a really great time talking with women at two of the booths for around 10-15 minutes each,” said Foster. “Unfortunately, my family lives in New Hampshire and I will be moving there after graduation in May, so many of the locations of the organizations were deal breakers. One of the employers told me their executive director was from New Hampshire and that she could try to get me in touch with him about any opportunities he knows of in the area which was really encouraging.”

 
“This is one of the primary end zones at JSC. It’s career readiness, career exploration and finding yourself in a place that really aligns with your goals,” said Hill.

 
Even though Foster is looking for local jobs in the Vermont area, she appreciated the connections she made and the opportunity to network.

 
“I was able to build self-esteem in my networking skills and was able to hand out my resume with confidence,” said Foster.