Unlocking opportunities at Chapman’s Spring Career Fair

Photo by Emily Paris, Photo Editor

Dressed in business casual with their resume in hand, Chapman students flocked to the Spring Career Fair on March 12, looking for internships and post-graduate opportunities.

“I need a summer internship, so I’m hoping to walk away with some contacts and some applications,” said sophomore psychology major Ryan Dubinsky.

Since 2022, Chapman University’s career fair has seen record growth each year in the number of companies attending and opportunities for students, according to Jennifer Kim, associate vice president of career and professional development.

“We want to introduce our students to a variety of different employers, so we bring in a lot of quality employers that are looking to connect with our Panthers,” said Kim. 

Through targeted outreach to local and national employers, the career office’s goal is to provide students with a variety of companies to explore. 

With 100 businesses in attendance, from Disney to the Peace Corps, there was an opportunity for every student to find what they were searching for.

Companies like Elevo Learning, which provides support for local school programs, came to the Career Fair looking to hire help in their mission to positively impact elementary school students.

“I have had a great deal of success with Chapman students who have provided support in Brea Linda after-school programs,” said Elevo program manager Roger Mujica.

Chapman alumni even returned to represent their companies and give more possibilities to a new generation of students. Massimo Lesti, a class of 2018 alum who majored in business administration, came to represent Gallo, a wine supplier, as they searched to fill summer intern positions and even some career openings.

“Myself and another alum paved the way for Gallo looking at Chapman as a potential pool for candidates, and we have found a great success,” Lesti said.

He believes that Chapman prepares students for success by teaching a variety of skills.

“There's a lot of really great not just hard skills, but soft skills that we feel like Chapman alumni come away with that really helps them succeed in our positions as well,” Lesti said.

To prepare for the career fair, Kim recommends taking advantage of the resources provided by the career center, such as resume workshops and VMock, an artificial intelligence-driven resume review platform with mock interview practice. 

Samantha Peters, a junior business administration major and career fair attendee, prepared by meeting with her career advisor and attending a resume workshop. 

“Your resume can never be perfect. And I think any person you talk to has a different opinion on it. I would just say, find whoever's opinion you agree with or that you aspire to be and go with them,” said Peters. 

This isn’t Peters' first time attending the career fair. She says that each year, as she gains more experience, she gains a new perspective. Compared to her freshman year, when she first attended, she feels that industries are now more interested in her as a junior.

Ryan Crisp, a junior economics major, printed out copies of his resume and prepared business casual attire prior to attending the career fair. 

Crisp attended with the goal of exploring summer opportunities, researching potential employers in the area and gaining insight into what jobs in his chosen field might look like after graduation.

“Everyone's very welcoming here. I would say definitely come. It's a great opportunity to meet new people and other Chapman students,” said Crisp. 

Senior strategic and corporate communication major Gracie Quaccia suggests bringing a friend or someone who is in the same major and interested in the same career path should students feel hesitant to walk up to the company booths at the fair solo. 

“I'm honestly just here to meet new people and see what kind of industries that Chapman is trying to encourage their students to work in post grad,” said Quaccia. 

Whether curious about future industries or seeking business connections, students can gain insight into networking and the future opportunities available to them at the career fairs. 

“I know it could be a little bit intimidating to walk into a room full of employers that you've never met, but just start with one employer and you'll kind of get your feet wet,” Kim said. “Definitely practice your elevator pitch. But our employers are eager to meet our Panthers, and they're so friendly. They want to meet with you. They want to hire you.”

According to Kim, given the high caliber of employers that continue to attend the fairs, she encourages all Panthers — students and alumni alike — to take advantage of this valuable resource. In just a few hours, attendees can connect with over 100 employers, making it an especially efficient opportunity for seniors.