More than twenty companies will attend WSU’s 35th annual Engineering Fair Tuesday, looking for students in all engineering disciplines. The fair will take place in the CUB junior ballroom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and his hosted by WSU’s Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE).
Marc Doman, senior electrical engineering major and IEEE club’s corporate relations chair, said there will be a focus on mechanical engineering this year. Doman has been working on the event since October and has invested more than one hundred hours planning and working with companies.
“Some companies are really interested in coming, while others you have to sell it to,” he said. "Over twenty companies are going to be in attendance including some big name companies such as HP, Avista, Burlington Railroad and SEL."
This event acts as the main fundraiser for the IEEE Club for the year. Each company pays to attend the event and recruit students. The funds earned allow the group to work on projects and purchase kits that will help students in the club learn techniques essential for their careers, as well as help pay for club ski trips and raft trips, Doman said.
More than 400 students attend each year from all disciplines of engineering. “We’ve been advertising very heavily,” he said. “I expect the event to be very large.”
Dan Travis, junior computer engineering major, is planning to attend the fair and is excited for what he may learn.
“I’m going to [the fair] to gain experience for an actual interview and see what companies are looking for,” he said.
Ben Brand, senior electrical engineer major and president of the IEEE club, said students can gain a lot from this event.
“I hope this helps students get their foot in the door for an interview or job,” he said.
This career fair will be different because it is focused mainly on engineers, junior mechanical engineer major Joshua Flatt said.
“Whether the companies are hiring full time or internships, these career fairs give an awesome chance for students to practice their ‘elevator speeches’ to make themselves stand out from another person,"Flatt said."Also, it gives great interviewing skills and a great way to build opportunities.”
Companies are looking to hire WSU students in all years for everything from summer internships to full time jobs. The event is free for all engineering majors and no previous registration is required to attend.
