Students descended on the Multipurpose Room in the Sakowich Campus Center dressed in their best professional clothes looking for internships, co-ops and full- or part-time jobs at the O'Brien Center for Career Development's annual Career Fair on March 6.
There were 177 representatives from 99 businesses at the fair, sharing information on opportunities and requirements, said Ashley Archangelo, the events and operations specialist for the O’Brien Center.
Opportunities represented at the fair included marketing, media and communications, accounting and finance, education and human services, life and health sciences, engineering, sales management and business development, technology, and graduate schools from Merrimack and other colleges.
“There was a higher caliber of companies and representatives than ever before with more students taking part,” said Courtney Luongo, associate vice president for the O’Brien Center.
“We’ve been very intentional about who we’re recruiting to come to the career fair,” Luongo said. “Part of the reason we’re getting better companies is because Merrimack’s reputation continues to grow.”
Michael Werra ’20, an electrical engineering major from East Bridgewater, Mass., was looking for an internship with an electric company. He spoke to a number of companies including Eversource and was encouraged by the possibilities.
“It’s overwhelming at first but once you’re in here and see the companies that you want to talk to, it’s not terrible,” he said. “You just want to get your foot in the door.”
Anairis Gotay ’21, a marketing major with a concentration in management from Lawrence, Mass., was busy looking for an internship in her field and found encouragement from companies that included Fox News, which said they would follow up with her.
“They gave me some information for internships in New York, Miami and Washington, D.C.,” Gotay said.
“A lot of schools don’t do this so it’s a great thing,” she said.
Amy Bilodeau and Dana Kirwin, who are assistant managers for Winchester, Mass.-based Little Flippers Swim School, were recruiting for the growing company’s new location.
“We’re looking for hardworking passionate professionals,” Bilodeau said.
Jordan Agudosi ’23, a marketing major from North Brunswick, N.J. who is a defensive end on the Warriors football team, said it’s never too early to start making contacts in the business world to find an internship.
“I want to get connected and reach out,” Agudosi said. “I’m stepping out, putting my name out there. The sooner the better.”
