Internship fair brings nationwide companies

Students looking to gain real work experience and bolster their resumes might find their chance tomorrow.\nThe Career Development Center will host the 2008 Career Services Internship Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday in Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union. The event brings in more than 60 recruiters for internship opportunities for students in all majors.\nSara Pennington-Busick, senior assistant director of employer relations for the Career Development Center, said the fair attracts more than 1,000 students each year and is one of the center’s most popular events.\n“It’s something that’s become expected on this campus over the years,” she said.\nRecruiters from companies all over the U.S., including American Eagle Outfitters, Target and San Fransisco- and Indianapolis-based public relations firm Blast Media, come to IU in search of qualified students. Employers have the opportunity to meet potential interns, collect resumes and schedule interviews. \nBrian Jones, a recruiter for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said his company has attended the fair for many years and has hired several interns from the event each year.\n“We’ve had the chance to meet with the best and the brightest students IU has to offer,” he said.\nThe fair also serves as a platform for businesses to talk about their success and history, Jones added. \nPennington-Busick said that because 87 percent of college students graduate college with internship experience, fairs like this benefit students in preparing for future careers.\n“I think that for a lot of students, having an internship is a reality now,” she said.\nPennington-Busick said the Career Development Center suggests that students come to the fair in professional dress and bring several copies of their resumes. She also added that employers look for students in a variety of majors.\n“It’s definitely an opportunity that’s open to all students,” Pennington-Busick said.\nFor more information on the fair, visit www.IUCareers.com.