Academics

Record number of companies recruit IST students at Pro Expo career fair

More than 900 students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology networked with recruiters on Sept. 11. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) hosted a record 68 companies Sept. 11 for the annual Pro Expo career fair, an event held for students studying in the college.

“We were happy to have such a broad and diverse number of companies participate,” said Zoe Meyer, director of IST’s Office of Career Solutions and Corporate Engagement. “It really speaks to the demand for our students to take on careers in business, government, medicine, and a variety of emerging fields.”

More than 900 students attended the event to network with potential employers, who represented companies ranging from tech startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Among those recruiters were many IST alumni, including 2017 alumna Bertha Castenada Guzman. Now a consulting analyst for Accenture, she jumped at the opportunity to attend Pro Expo again.

“A year ago, I was in their shoes!” she said. “I’m happy to be back to give other students a glimpse of the consulting world within Accenture.”

Bolstered by the college’s commitment to producing graduates who blend technical expertise with business and communication skills, all IST students must complete at least one internship before graduation. In fact, nearly half of all IST students complete more than one internship, and 84 percent reported being offered a full-time position by a company with which they interned.

This real-world experience helps students stand out as they explore additional internship and career opportunities in highly competitive industries. 

“I know everyone who goes [to IST] has a great background academically, so I’m really looking at those extracurricular experiences and their soft skills,” Guzman said. 

Students and employers can learn more about networking opportunities in the college by visiting the IST Office of Career Solutions website.

Last Updated September 15, 2017