MTSU business administration majors Aaron and Alex Brown may have “doubled” their chances of landing an internship at this year’s Business Exchange for Student Talent, or BEST, Career Fair in the Student Union Ballroom.

“When people see twins doing the same thing, oftentimes they remember it,” Alex Brown said as the brothers looked over prospective internships with each other.

Meet the Browns, both juniors eager to tackle an internship while at MTSU.

“I’m looking to get my foot in the door,” said Aaron Brown, whose hometown is Hendersonville, Tennessee. “I don’t really know what all I can do with business administration, so I came to see what I can do internship-wise.”

MTSU business majors and twin brothers Alex Brown, left, and Aaron Brown speak with representatives from the Hershey Co. during the Business Exchange for Student Talent, or BEST, Career Fair held Wednesday, March 21, in the MTSU Student Union Building. (MTSU photo by Jayla Jackson)

Several students joined the Browns Wednesday, March 21, on a search for the internship or job opportunity best suited for them to enhance their skills and burnish their resumes.

The three-hour meet-and-greet event, sponsored by the Department of Management and Department of Marketing in MTSU’s Jones College of Business, urged students majoring in business administration, management, entrepreneurship, and marketing to “sell” themselves to over 50 companies ranging from Hershey to Sherwin-Williams to Regions Bank.

This year’s format returned to a more traditional career fair set-up from the “speed networking” structure in previous years, according to Laura Buckner, an instructor and internship coordinator in the Department of Marketing.

Laura Buckner

Something newly added to this year’s itinerary included quiet areas for on-the-spot interviews with those among the 100-plus student attendees who made an outstanding impression on employers.

Participating companies were also on the hunt for business-savvy students interested in finding an entry-level job in marketing, management, sales and more.

MTSU 2016 graduate Malory Valdez is currently a sales agent for Aetna insurance’s HealthSpire Medicare program and attended the BEST fair looking to fill positions with her fellow alumni.

Although she did not attend this specific fair while she was in school, she credits MTSU career fairs for assisting her in narrowing down possible job opportunities.

“It was a good experience when I went to the career fair … it’s really useful because a lot of times you just don’t know what’s out there,” she said.

MTSU senior business major Montavius Euwing, right, speaks to an employer representative during the Business Exchange for Student Talent, or BEST, Career Fair held Wednesday, March 21, in the MTSU Student Union Building. More than 50 companies were on hand looking to fill entry-level positions and internships. (MTSU photo by Jayla Jackson) (MTSU photo by Jayla Jackson)

Valdez also noted how a face-to-face connection allows her and other employers to see more than a name on a piece of paper with qualifications.

“They’ll remember you for your face and talk about not just your qualifications on paper but in person,” she added.

As for the Brown brothers, they took an interest in Alder Home Security and are waiting to hear about their future there but are prepared if their career paths take them to separate destinations.

“We don’t have to work together … we just work better together,” Aaron Brown said.

For more information about other career fairs and job placement services, visit the MTSU Career Development Center website at www.mtsu.edu/career.

— Jayla Jackson (news@mtsu.edu)

MTSU M.B.A. student Ayodeji “D.J.” Makinde, right, speaks to a representative from Hankook Tire America Corp. during the Business Exchange for Student Talent, or BEST, Career Fair held Wednesday, March 21, in the MTSU Student Union Building. (MTSU photo by Jayla Jackson)

MTSU business students encouraged to bring ‘BEST’ to career fair

March 13

By Jayla Jackson

Students looking for an opportunity to present themselves to employers face to face soon will be able to at an upcoming career fair on MTSU’s campus.

The Business Exchange for Student Talent, also known as BEST, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in the Student Union Ballroom and is open to all Jones College of Business majors.

Laura Buckner

The career fair, sponsored by the Department of Management and Department of Marketing in the Jones College of Business, is a networking career event for students interested in obtaining either full-time positions or internships.

“Wear business professional,” Laura Buckner, an instructor and internship coordinator in the Department of Marketing, advised BEST attendees.

“The purpose of this fair is for students to establish a professional network and to find internship and full-time opportunities.”

Over 50 employers are set to attend with representatives explaining what opportunities they have as well as space to interview students privately.

You can see a list of companies who will be among the 2018 BEST Career Fair Employers, via this Department of Management Facebook post.

Buckner is encouraging students to bring multiple copies of their resumes and research the companies before attending the event.

The BEST fair is organized by the IGNITE Committee, part of a Jones College professional development program designed to increase students’ awareness of career preparation issues and help them develop knowledge and skills to navigate the process of landing a professional entry level job.

For more information about the event, contact Buckner at laura.buckner@mtsu.edu.

For more information about other career fairs and job placement services, visit the MTSU Career Development Center website at www.mtsu.edu/career.

— Jayla Jackson (news@mtsu.edu)

In this spring 2016 file photo, then-MTSU senior Anthony Juarez, left, talks with Shane Martinez of Total Quality Logistics during the BEST Career Fair in the the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)