College of Business and Technology hosts career fair

On Feb. 16, the College of Business and Technology (CBAT) hosted the first spring semester career fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ETSU Millennium Center.

The career fair was an opportunity for participating students to gain exposure to the business world, build connections, and possibly grant accessibility to new and exciting career opportunities in Johnson City and beyond.

Held annually each February, the career fair is open to students enrolled in CBAT and provides participating members with outreach to technology, engineering, banking, financial management and services, energy, public safety, insurance, government and retail employers.

“A broad array of 56 employers attended the event,” said Director of Career Services Melinda LaPrade. “Students could engage with anyone from engineering companies to technology firms, consulting companies, manufacturing entities, government agencies, credit unions, accounting firms, financial advising firms, utilities, surveying firms, and more.”

Companies in attendance included Axle Logistics, Specter Pest Management, Allied Dispatch Solutions, Fastenal Company, Lab Connect and even the United States Secret Service.

With employers offering full-time, part-time and internship positions, CBAT students were encouraged to attend in professional dress, familiarize themselves with the Handshake job platform, prepare their most enticing resumes and self-testimonials, and most importantly, bring unparalleled enthusiasm to the table to distinguish themselves to employers.  

For the College of Business and Technology and LaPrade, the annual career fair is far more than just an event for students at ETSU. The fair entails an opening for members to explore their personal journeys and uncover where their passions lie in the career field of business and technology, along with networking and making connections for future positions, interactions and internships.

“CBAT’s primary focus is career readiness for our students,” said LaPrade. “Career information gathering is our main goal for first-year students and sophomores, all while career testing via internships and job searches are core focus for juniors and seniors the College of Business and Technology.”  

Career fairs are offered twice per school year through CBAT: the primary career-focused event is in October and the secondary fair is conducted in February. To learn more about the College of Business and Technology or its career events, contact laparde@etsu.edu or visit the online directory at etsu.edu/cbat.