A record-breaking 75 employers from around the country visited Temple University seeking to recruit, interview and hire Temple Engineering students recently at the fall Career Fair.

Companies ranged from energy utilities and related firms like American Water and PPL to transit agencies like Amtrak, SEPTA and New Jersey Department of Transportation. Biomedical firms like US BioDesign and Merck also joined construction companies like Gilbane, Pennoni and Turner Construction.

Many companies also included Temple alumni, including Jennifer Kullgren (ENG, 17), who came back to campus for the first time as a recruiter. Kullgren credited the Career Fair as key to landing her civil engineering position with HSC—along with following-up after.

“Send them an email thanking them for their time,” she said. “Chances are slim that a company will chase after you so you really have to chase after the job. And that means getting in contact with anyone you talk to, to make them remember you.”

And networking never really stops, even when you do land that job.

“Companies may not have a lot of open spots at the time being, but a follow up down the road,” added Abigail Sandherr (ENG, 17), who left Temple with a BS in Engineering Technology, and now works as an Assistant Estimaroe for Torcon, Inc. “You could stick out to a company if they are looking for someone to fill a position and already have your resume on hand.”

Engineers from high-tech companies, consultancies, shipyards, telecommunications and many others spoke to students about their interests and career opportunities. Lamika Sample (ENG, 16) now a Project Engineer for Amtrak, took the chance to connect with her former classmates and learn about changes that have taken place at the college since they’ve all left.

“I learned about new programs and concentrations that weren’t offered when I was a student. It’s amazing to see the progress that the college has made in recent years,” she said.

To keep the career preparation momentum going, be sure to attend the next career networking workshop on November 13th! Students can learn how to build their professional network and successfully search for internships, research opportunities and full-time positions.