DECATUR – ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University students and alumni took in the largest ever put on by the Center for Academic and Professional Performance (CAPP), featuring 60 employers from around Central Illinois, on Thurs., February 23 in the University Commons.
Following the news of the closure of Akorn Pharmaceuticals plants in Decatur, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ invited those The event expanded beyond the UC's banquet room as tables filled the hallways as those seeking employment and internship opportunities spoke with employers.
"We had initially closed the Career Fair to employers because we were maxed out. Then the Akorn news came, and we opened it back up. We had 8-10 businesses contact us and so we just added them in and squeezed in some more tables," Carrie Pierson, Dean of Academic Support Services and the Director of the CAPP said. "I have a great team in the CAPP and Admissions. We were able to figure out what we needed very quickly. That’s what we do here at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½; we were able to pivot and shift to what’s needed."
ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ sophomore Andy Niebrugge, a Pre-med Biology Major, attended the Career Fair to explore internship opportunities and network among the medical employers in attendance, including HSHS and Memorial Health System.
"My goals were to look and see what they have to offer. I knew there were a couple medical groups here and I am looking for an internship and start to develop connections," Niebrugge said. "I was trying to network a bit and see what is out there and get more informed."
Niebrugge plans on continuing to medical school after graduation and aims to become an orthopedic surgeon.
"It will take some time and some good internships to get into medical school. I came into the Career Fair with an open mind, and that’s what I liked about it. It’s very loose and easy just to go up and talk to people," Niebrugge said. "I feel like it is a really good opportunity for not just business majors. Going out and finding an internship is not always easy and this makes it a lot easier to find your way and figure out what to do."
Events like the Career Fair are instrumental in ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ achieving a 99% graduate success rate, meaning 99% of graduates reported that they were either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduating from the University.
"I think employers are motivated to find talented students and workers as a whole," Pierson said. "We were maxed for our business, which is a good sign. We have all of these companies right here in Decatur and Central Illinois who are looking to hire, and there are lots of employment opportunities."
