On Tuesday, October 4, students were able to connect with representatives from Kent's colleges and area businesses at the annual Majors and Jobs Fair at Kent State Geauga’s Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg. This is the third year for this popular event -the vision of LuAnn Coldwell, career advisor. “Our “Majors and Jobs Fair” event is unique in that it combines opportunities to learn about academic majors and programs, along with how to put that knowledge to work with real jobs and internships in the community. Where else can you learn about academic programs AND talk with employers, all in the same room at the same time?” said Coldwell.
Students at both the Geauga Campus in Burton and Regional Academic in Twinsburg are able to benefit from this opportunity. The first Geauga Campus Majors & Jobs Fair was held in the spring 2014 followed by a fall fair at the Twinsburg location.
In the first two years the fair more than tripled in student participation and doubled in academic programs and employers. Coldwell stated, “What I am proud of is the collaborative nature of this program. Among those 16 academic programs, we had four different Kent State University campuses represented. Our 13 employers came from four counties. It is a campus-wide and also community event. The local support from the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce has been invaluable in our getting the word out to area employers. “
This year’s participation was slightly down, which could be attributed to a change in date and a similar event at the Kent Campus. If you’ve been to the fair you know that it’s currently held in a double classroom at the Regional Academic Center. Limited physical space is the major limitation to the fairs future growth.
Overall, it remained a dynamic experience for those that did attend. It not only benefits the student, it helps nourish connection between area employers and academic programs. Coldwell said “It truly is a Connections Fair.”
For more information, call LuAnn Coldwell, Career Adviser, lcoldwel@kent.edu