More than 1,000 people looking for jobs had the chance to meet recruiters representing 75 major U.S. and international companies and corporations during the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University annual Industry/Career Expo.
“We had a record number of firms on campus recruiting,” said Melissa Mena, ERAU director of career services and employer programs.
It was not only aerospace and aviation firms such as Boeing seeking applicants. Many came from major corporate giants, such as Motorola and FedEx Express. Several federal agencies were present, too, including the CIA, FBI, DEA and the U.S. Postal Service. Representatives also were present from National Geographic International. A division of Arizona Public Service – Palo Verde Nuclear Plant – also had its recruiters at the Expo.
Interestingly, a major electronic commerce and cloud computer firm – Amazon.com – was recruiting. The Seattle-based company is the largest Internet retailer in the United States.
Braden Peterson of Phoenix, who represents the company’s Global Security Control Center as a crisis operations manager, said, “The kinds of applicants we meet through this particular job fair are exactly what we are seeking for our company. We’re especially interested in those who have excellent educational backgrounds in computer technology, security and cyber-security. Cyber commerce requires truly talented employees. We really like the kinds of student applicants we find at ERAU.”
Brian Santana, from San Diego, California, said he was “…blown away” at the variety of recruiters at the Expo. “I don’t know of anywhere else where I could get so many options for jobs,” he said.
The job fair coincided with the ERAU OctoberWest – Homecoming weekend for ERAU alums and their families. Several hundred visitors from throughout the United States and some foreign lands were on campus and staying for the weekend in Prescott.
Job-Seekers Came from Throughout Quad Cities
“We don’t restrict attending the Expo to just ERAU students,” said Mena. “We publicize it throughout the community and have an extensive marketing and publicity campaign. We also inform the other colleges and universities in the area. Our attitude – if it’s good for Embry-Riddle, it’s good for the community.”
Although she does not yet know how many people have been hired as a result of the Career Expo, Embry-Riddle does track those who participated to see how many received or accepted job offers, where and by whom.
National, International Organizations Send High-Powered Recruiters
“We’re so pleased to have so many high-caliber organizations visit our campus and Prescott. They tell us they like coming here, too, for the climate and the friendly ambience,” she said.
“It’s not every day that a community like Prescott can invite firms like Boeing, Garmin, Delta, Raytheon, the FBI and CIA, Honeywell and dozens of others. And more than a dozen airlines were here, including the major ones. Of course, the armed forces are here, too. It’s a tribute to our students and to ERAU that recruiting success brings them – and new recruiters – back every year,” she continued.
In just six years, the number of firms attending the Expo has almost doubled – from 43 to 75.
An ERAU employee the past 10 years, Mena gained her current administrative role more than two years ago. The Prescott native had earned a teaching degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson but decided she wanted to “…return home. Prescott has magnetism.”
“The career fair featured representatives from companies that any campus would be proud to host,” said ERAU chancellor Frank Ayers. “They come to recruit our students and alums and others from the community for internships and employment. What’s really gratifying [is that] many of the recruiters are ERAU alums.”
Ayers said the opportunity for networking and for students and employers to find the right fit among myriad job opportunities contributes to “…90 percent plus job placement of our graduates, within their disciplines, within a year of graduation. That’s more than three times the national average.”
“I was pleased to see such a large and varied group of top employers in the country on the Prescott campus,” said ERAU Interim President Dr. John Watret. “It’s good for them to see the university and the community and how vibrant this area is.”
Watret was visiting the Prescott campus from his office at the ERAU campus in Daytona Beach, Florida. He presides over the administration of the Prescott and Daytona Beach residential campuses and the 125 worldwide campus operations.
“I think it was fabulous. It exceeded our expectations,” said Mena. “But, know what? I think next year will be even better.” QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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