To help MTSU students and graduates gain an edge in a tough economy, the Career Development Center is sponsoring an Internships and Summer Jobs Fair on Thursday, March 21.

Hosting over 40 employers, the fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the James Union Building. The event is free, but attendees must bring their MTSU student ID. Alumni without a student ID card should bring a resume that indicates the completion of an MTSU degree, including the major and graduation year.

With over 700 people in attendance last spring, the Career Development Center hopes to exceed those numbers this year.

“Research tells us that students with internships fare better in the initial job search and also have more longevity with their first employer,” said Dusty Doddridge, assistant director for employer relations at MTSU.

“We’d like to see every graduating MTSU student have two or more internships on their resume.”

The fair will provide attendees an opportunity to interact with numerous companies in a short amount of time. Among those, Caterpillar Financial, Pepsi, Sherwin Williams, Southwestern, Skanska and TVA are all scheduled to appear.

These introductions allow students to hone their interviewing skills by meeting with recruiters or hiring managers. Presenting a professional resume and making a positive impression could lead to a follow-up interview for a summer job or internship.

Career fairs also inform students about the types of positions that are currently the most sought after by employers, as well as the skills necessary to be successful in those jobs.

The Career Development Center also offers free services to MTSU students and alumni including: individual assistance with career planning, resume writing, interviewing skills and job search strategies.

Additional information on the Career Development Center can be found at http://mtsu.edu/career/ or by contacting Doddridge at dusty.doddridge@mtsu.edu.

— Lauren Price (news@mtsu.edu)