Last month's Spring Career and Internship Fair had record attendance in all facets for an event that is an important step in the journey of Lakers.

This year, the event had a record number of organizations (119), employer representatives (245) and student attendees (740). The students represented a diverse range of class years, majors and cultural backgrounds.

Human development major Kaylee Knapp ’24 has been attending the university’s career and internship fairs since she was a sophomore, so this year, as a senior, she walked into the Swetman Gymnasium in March for the annual Spring Career and Internship Fair without hesitation and with a plan to be open to opportunities.

“Over time I have gained more professional skills and experience that assisted me when attending the fair and speaking with employers,” Knapp said. “I have become more confident in my ability to ask questions and showcase my strengths, aligning them with company needs. This growth has not only made the Career Fair less daunting but has also opened doors to more promising prospects and connections.”

That is exactly what Career Services Director Gary Morris ’88 wants to hear.

“What do I want students to get from the Career Fair?” Morris asked. “Confidence. The true value of the event is students going through the process and realizing that they can successfully speak with an employer about career paths and opportunities. Many students are very intimidated by that process. But, once they get through an event like this and realize that they connected with seven different organizations and the representatives were friendly, professional and interested in them, it’s such a confidence boost. At that point, they have the confidence to take the next step in the process.”

This year’s fair featured a new "Student Lounge," organized and sponsored by EXCEL: Experiential Courses and Engaged Learning and utilizing the reception and resource center areas of the Compass. This served multiple purposes, including to:

  • Provide a space for neurodiverse students to better manage a very hectic environment
  • Showcase the spaces and assist with employer research, resume critiques and follow-up emails
  • Provide food and beverages to students who were delaying or skipping a meal to spend the entire time at the event
  • It was so well-received by students that Morris said this will become a permanent feature in future years

Rather than highlighting only the employers and organizations in attendance, this year, the Career Services team shifted the focus for students to the kinds of opportunities available for various majors and career interests.

For example, a graphic design student might not automatically think of a contractor/construction company as a potential employer, but this year, that particular employer had multiple high-paying graphic design positions available, Morris said.

So, the team created a four-page employer directory for each student, which denoted the organizations, their industry area, and their interest in hiring international students and interns. This helped students direct their attention to the tables with the opportunities best suited to their personal interests.

The handout was one of the items that students could carry in a free “Dream Big” swag bag to help them organize employer materials. During the fair, students could also have a free professional portrait taken to use on their LinkedIn profiles.

Creating engagement

The Career Services team noted they have been very successful in engaging students from all class years and majors and getting them to attend their events. They also have been exceptionally successful at attracting employers and organizations to table at the fair.

The record numbers reflect decades of award-winning work by the Career Services team members, who have implemented several forward-thinking initiatives over the past few decades that support one of the two major areas of focus:

  • Starting the career services process by helping students explore the best fitting career paths and envision what an amazing life looks like for them.
  • Then, once they have that direction, helping students identify the steps they need to go through to be successful (e.g. getting experience, building skills, connecting with others and ultimately launching out of SUNY Oswego at the highest possible level.)

Many years ago, the office broke away from the college norm of a generalist approach, opting instead for a more customized structure with career coaches who have specialized expertise in various professional paths. The staff also very deliberately collaborate with internal partners such as faculty, student clubs and organizations, or such programs as CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) and EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) on all of their career development programs. The office has also been successful in strategically collaborating with faculty to embed career readiness and competencies into the curriculum.

Morris said the effectiveness of this work can be seen in the “first destination” data of students after graduation. The most recent data had 99 percent of students reporting that they were employed or continuing their education; 91 percent said they were employed full-time in their career of choice.

For students like Knapp, the office’s efforts appear to have worked.

“My interaction with Career Services has been invaluable,” she said. “The guidance and resources offered by the Career Services team have equipped me with the best tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the job market. I've received tailored support that has promoted my confidence and prepared me to showcase my skills and experiences effectively to potential employers. Overall, Oswego has not only provided me with a solid academic foundation but has also instilled in me the confidence and determination to pursue my career goals with clarity and purpose.”

-- Submitted by University Advancement