Fifteenth Annual Career Fair
launches
student
networks
By Lau rie St o ne , Tim Le ach, and De b Harman
In October 2015, more than 800 students
a job search and how to prepare for network-
Spratt--establish and maintain the stage for
attended the 15th Annual Career Fair, the
ing at the Career Fair. Chuck Easley, Co-op
the other players. Overall, it takes nearly six
premier networking event offered by the Ca-
Coordinator, guides students through the
months to plan and execute the Career Fair
reer Services Department. Representing some
preparation steps. Additionally, the Arts and
for the benefit of students and companies.
of the 68 diverse companies that set up booths
Sciences Department offers a course --Man-
For some young students, the Career Fair
in the field house were 35 MMA alumni
agement Communications --that dedicates
is their first introduction to networking and
proud to introduce the next generation to the
classroom time to employment strategies.
career options, which will continue through-
extraordinary range of career opportunities
Another course offered through the Engi-
out their four years at the Academy. "Alumni
open to students. Friendly interactions pro-
neering Department covers material targeted
and other company reps continuously tell
vide students a first-hand introduction to the
to engineering industries. Both courses help
the Career Services folks that colleges need
careers available to them. Students presenting
students lay the foundation for their net-
to train students to be flexible regarding the
themselves for employment often find that
works. The Career Fair also allows students
variety of opportunities so that by senior year,
alumni understand best what the MMA expe-
the chance to practice networking and put to
they are able to look at the full spectrum
rience can bring to the table.
use all the skills given to them by the Career
of possibilities available," says Leach. For
At the Career Fair, students must be pre-
Services staff and their professors.
instance, some freshmen plan on blue water
pared for the unexpected--an interview offer
The production of the Career Fair is a
shipping for their career option; however,
scheduled for that day, for instance, or an
community affair requiring the talents of
their USCG licenses give them the flexibility
invitation to a casual dinner after the Career
many people from departments and divisions
to consider coastwise and inland shipping
Fair. Ultimately, students' social skills are
as varied as the Career Services Department,
also. At the Career Fair, they can meet people
tested in a noisy, crowded field house with
Sodexo, the Safety Department, and the Mail
in all three types of shipping and consider
others jockeying for attention and informa-
Department. Student help must be solicit-
options they may not have imagined as fresh-
tion from company representatives. Captain
ed; company products must be received and
men. Easley says, "Students enter Maine Mar-
Tim Leach, Director of Career Services, says,
stored; publicity must be done on a large
itime Academy and generally follow narrow
"A recruiter who meets someone who stands
scale; the field house must be set up and taken
paths to graduation, but once out, the world
out in this crowd will remember that person
down; and packages must be mailed back to
opens up" and they sometimes find themselves
even if he or she is a first-year student."
companies. A variety of individuals collabo-
in careers unrelated to their original plans.
Students don't enter the arena blindly. The
rate to engage students with the networking
Undergraduates who take advantage of the
Career Services Office, under the direction of
opportunities that can lead to career success.
networking opportunities offered by Career
Leach, offers instruction in how to organize
The people in Career Services--Tim Leach,
Services are empowered to seek any number
Chuck Easley, Deb Harman, and Christine
of careers.
Photos by A Allen.

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