The future recipients of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s “degrees that work” attracted a record number of employers to the school’s Fall Career Fair.
Representing all economic sectors, 237 employers – including 19 Fortune 500 companies – recruited students at the event. The employers offered approximately 3,180 jobs and internships, reflective of the college’s 100-plus bachelor’s, associate and certificate majors.
“The employers are looking for students who are technically skilled and prepared to enter today’s workforce,” said Erin S. Shultz, coordinator of career development at the college. “Those are our students. That’s why we have a record number of employers recruiting our students. And that’s why our students enjoy a 96 percent placement rate.”
More than 1,700 students attended the Career Fair, including Logan B. Goodhart, a senior manufacturing engineering technology major from Chambersburg.
“For manufacturing students especially, there is such a wide variety of employers,” he said. “A lot of people are afraid of not finding employment. I’m afraid of deciding on where I actually want to work. There are almost too many opportunities. Not a bad problem to have!”
According to Shultz, manufacturing was just one of several majors in high demand at the Career Fair. Many employers also targeted students studying construction management, residential construction technology and management, welding, plastics, building automation, civil engineering, heavy construction equipment, and diesel technology.
“As always, employers were interested in students seeking the full range of Penn College degrees,” Shultz said, “but those majors in particular seemed to be hot this fall.”
The day after the Career Fair, 27 employers remained on campus and interviewed 255 students for positions.
Many of the students at the Career Fair were underclassmen, attempting to establish and nurture a bond with potential future employers.
“You get a couple of years to talk with them and develop a rapport,” said junior Cody L. Snyder, of Elizabethville, who is seeking a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology and an associate degree in metal fabrication technology. “Actually, a lot of the companies I talked to my freshman and sophomore years remembered me. It’s about building that relationship.”
Dan Dietrich knows firsthand the importance of making an early connection. The plastics and polymer engineering technology major graduated from Penn College in 2009 but made his first contact with B. Braun Medical Inc. at the Career Fair long before. That led to an internship at the company, where Dietrich works today as an extrusion manager. B. Braun Medical develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical products and services to the health care industry.
The past few years, Dietrich has enjoyed being on the other side of the table at the college’s Career Fair, recruiting plastics, mechatronics, electronics, machining and information technology students.
“We like everything that the college has to offer,” he said. “Students don’t just receive the theory behind everything, they have practical experience. They can go to the employer with something to offer right away. They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty, and we see that as a great advantage.”
So does Michael McGarry, Atlantic regional manager for California-based Southwestern Industries Inc., a manufacturer of machine tools and CNC controls.
“They come out with a great skill set,” said McGarry, recruiting machine tool technology, manufacturing engineering, automotive, mechatronics and welding students. “They’re normally well-organized and willing to learn.”
Ryan Homes, part of NVR Inc., a top-five U.S. homebuilder, has hired approximately 10 Penn College students during the past few years. “They come from a variety of majors and often they have hands-on experience, so they know what they want to do,” said Corrie Jackson, HR manager, Ryan and NV Homes, Maryland and Virginia operations. “The students are well-prepared when they come see us. We’re very impressed with what we see.”
Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, part of Honeywell International Inc., a Fortune 100 software industrial company, has been so impressed with Penn College students that it has hired at least 40 graduates in recent years. One of those, Carl Gravely, class of 2008, represented the company at the Career Fair.
“We know what the students are learning here is what we need and desire out in the field,” said Gravely, who earned a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology and associate degrees in electromechanical maintenance technology and electrical technology. “Penn College students learn the fundamentals, and that’s what we struggle to find. People in the building automation field are in high demand.”
“It’s very satisfying to hear from employers how impressed they are with our students’ educational background and professionalism.” Shultz said. “If the number of employers attending the Career Fair and their positive response to our students are accurate indications, the high expectations we have for Penn College students are being met.”
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development. For more, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Representing all economic sectors, 237 employers – including 19 Fortune 500 companies – recruited students at the event. The employers offered approximately 3,180 jobs and internships, reflective of the college’s 100-plus bachelor’s, associate and certificate majors.
“The employers are looking for students who are technically skilled and prepared to enter today’s workforce,” said Erin S. Shultz, coordinator of career development at the college. “Those are our students. That’s why we have a record number of employers recruiting our students. And that’s why our students enjoy a 96 percent placement rate.”
More than 1,700 students attended the Career Fair, including Logan B. Goodhart, a senior manufacturing engineering technology major from Chambersburg.“For manufacturing students especially, there is such a wide variety of employers,” he said. “A lot of people are afraid of not finding employment. I’m afraid of deciding on where I actually want to work. There are almost too many opportunities. Not a bad problem to have!”
According to Shultz, manufacturing was just one of several majors in high demand at the Career Fair. Many employers also targeted students studying construction management, residential construction technology and management, welding, plastics, building automation, civil engineering, heavy construction equipment, and diesel technology.
“As always, employers were interested in students seeking the full range of Penn College degrees,” Shultz said, “but those majors in particular seemed to be hot this fall.”
The day after the Career Fair, 27 employers remained on campus and interviewed 255 students for positions.
Many of the students at the Career Fair were underclassmen, attempting to establish and nurture a bond with potential future employers.
“You get a couple of years to talk with them and develop a rapport,” said junior Cody L. Snyder, of Elizabethville, who is seeking a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology and an associate degree in metal fabrication technology. “Actually, a lot of the companies I talked to my freshman and sophomore years remembered me. It’s about building that relationship.”
Dan Dietrich knows firsthand the importance of making an early connection. The plastics and polymer engineering technology major graduated from Penn College in 2009 but made his first contact with B. Braun Medical Inc. at the Career Fair long before. That led to an internship at the company, where Dietrich works today as an extrusion manager. B. Braun Medical develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical products and services to the health care industry.
The past few years, Dietrich has enjoyed being on the other side of the table at the college’s Career Fair, recruiting plastics, mechatronics, electronics, machining and information technology students.“We like everything that the college has to offer,” he said. “Students don’t just receive the theory behind everything, they have practical experience. They can go to the employer with something to offer right away. They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty, and we see that as a great advantage.”
So does Michael McGarry, Atlantic regional manager for California-based Southwestern Industries Inc., a manufacturer of machine tools and CNC controls.
“They come out with a great skill set,” said McGarry, recruiting machine tool technology, manufacturing engineering, automotive, mechatronics and welding students. “They’re normally well-organized and willing to learn.”
Ryan Homes, part of NVR Inc., a top-five U.S. homebuilder, has hired approximately 10 Penn College students during the past few years. “They come from a variety of majors and often they have hands-on experience, so they know what they want to do,” said Corrie Jackson, HR manager, Ryan and NV Homes, Maryland and Virginia operations. “The students are well-prepared when they come see us. We’re very impressed with what we see.”
Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, part of Honeywell International Inc., a Fortune 100 software industrial company, has been so impressed with Penn College students that it has hired at least 40 graduates in recent years. One of those, Carl Gravely, class of 2008, represented the company at the Career Fair.
“We know what the students are learning here is what we need and desire out in the field,” said Gravely, who earned a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology and associate degrees in electromechanical maintenance technology and electrical technology. “Penn College students learn the fundamentals, and that’s what we struggle to find. People in the building automation field are in high demand.”
“It’s very satisfying to hear from employers how impressed they are with our students’ educational background and professionalism.” Shultz said. “If the number of employers attending the Career Fair and their positive response to our students are accurate indications, the high expectations we have for Penn College students are being met.”
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development. For more, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.