Feb. 18, 2025
Ferris State Career and Internship Fair on Feb. 27 aims to optimize experience, outcomes for students, industry partners
“Prepare—Connect—Succeed” are fundamental considerations as Ferris State University’s Career and Professional Success office hosts the Career and Internship Fair.
The event is planned for Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Student Recreation Center, 410 South Street.
Michele Albright, Ferris State’s Career and Professional Success Career Readiness specialist and Employer liaison, said their event maximizes value for all Ferris State students.
Albright said the fair can have benefits for students beyond its morning and afternoon sessions, with opportunities to discuss internship and career prospects with focused industry participants.
“This is about offering a more engaging opportunity for every Ferris State student to gather with fellow Bulldogs so they can broaden their campus experience and create more connections within their area of interest,” Albright said. “We are asking them to begin their day in the ‘Prep Zone,’ with levels of engagement and assistance available to facilitate a successful experience for each student attending the fair.”
A “Connection Zone” will allow students to engage with peers from various professional student organizations, career resources, graduate programs, and collaborative university services, which Albright calls an important new facet of the fair.
The 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. session to meet with guest organizations will primarily serve students seeking employment connected to industries and academic programs within engineering and technology. The second session is set from 2 to 5 p.m., encompassing business, education, healthcare, government, IT and all other industries.
Albright said more than 200 organizations will be recruiting on campus throughout the day, looking to talk about their operations and engage with students.
“Based on industry trends and student requests, this event will focus more on making connections,” Albright said, “Therefore, this event is for all students regardless of major and whether they have already found employment or are still exploring options.”
Albright said with employment shifts, she knows that increasing social capital, introducing students to career resources and technology, and providing equitable access to various situations will best prepare all Ferris State students for mobility and access.
Employer tables will be mapped to zones by industries and hiring objectives.
Many new employers are visiting campus for the upcoming career and internship fair, from the optometric field, K-12 education, behavioral sciences, business analytics, pharmaceuticals, civil engineering, agriculture, aerospace, transportation, and defense.
“We are glad to welcome each employer, whether new, returning or long-standing partners,” she said. “Many of these guests send Ferris alumni to manage their outreach, who are always excited to return with the possibility of hiring additional Ferris students and graduates.”
Albright said she hopes students make use of the tools and to get on-site easily, with shuttle bus service to the Student Rec Center throughout the day.
She directs students to preview the employers attending and create their profile in Handshake, the university’s recruiting platform, and to follow the Career & Professional Success channel in Ferris 360 beginning Feb. 17 for updates, employer listings and maps.
There will be raffles and giveaways throughout the day Feb. 27 and anyone with a disability who needs accommodation to attend the fair should contact CAPS at (231) 591-2685 or by email at least 72 hours in advance of the event.