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Finding a job for the summer can sometimes be a burden, but for students at ������, it’s easier when the employment prospects come to you. Students and professionals gathered on the second floor of the Kent Student Center on Feb. 6 to kickstart their connections and discuss opportunities for this summer.   

Organizations like Target, Cedar Point, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, numerous nonprofits, agencies and more were represented at the fair.  

“We really want to make sure that students get connected with opportunities that are of interest to them,” Keturah Kneuss, assistant director of Career Exploration and Development said, “and with employees that are interested in hiring Kent State students.”

With sponsors like , a full-service home solution company with four sub-brands, Career Exploration and Development was able to host more than 40 organizations on campus.  

“We’re heavily investing in our early talent as Leaf Home grows over the next couple years, [and] we wanted to establish a formalized internship program for the years to come,” said Tiranee Brunnet, regional recruiting manager at Leaf Home. “That way we can help students get a kickstart on their career.”

Among other employers, Leaf Home is currently offering a myriad of internships in areas including marketing, supply chain, human resources, mechanical engineering, communications and journalism. The company also is offering opportunities in Cleveland and New York depending on students’ interests.  

Kneuss said Career Exploration and Development connects with employers primarily through Handshake, a popular job platform for college students.  

Students can use to see which employers have a profile on the platform.  

“There are so many companies and positions out there that you have no way of knowing about,” said Corey Thur, corporate recruiter at Leaf Home. “So, it’s really nice to chat with people from there and learn about the different types of roles there are.”

Even students who didn’t initially see the value were pleasantly surprised by what the fair had to offer.

“I really wasn’t interested in coming at first because I want to be a lawyer and I thought ‘there’s nothing here about being a lawyer,” LaTaesia Snyder, first-year philosophy major, said. “But then I got here, and there were some fun things I could do over the summer.”

The fair not only supports and benefits the students, but it is also an opportunity for organizations to grow and recruit.

“We’re looking to get about 100 troopers to join our cadet class coming up in March,” said Sergeant Adam Shonk from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “We’re looking for anyone between the ages of 20 to 39 years old. We’re looking for self-motivated individuals. We want people who have a good work ethic, are willing to go out and have an understanding and compassion for people.”

Career Exploration and Development will host another internship and job fair on March 19 in the Kent Student Center Ballroom anticipating nearly 70 companies to attend.  

“There will be all kinds of opportunities including professional opportunities for after college, internships for the upcoming year, and some part-time opportunities as well,” Kneuss said.  

Learn more about Career Exploration and Development