Deep Sinha

Students at the University of Maryland are blessed with the opportunities and resources available to them for constant academic and personal growth. Of the many events this university sponsors, the fall career and internship fair coming up this week on Wednesday and Thursday is of high importance to many students, especially those majoring in engineering and business. The fair is a great platform for networking, which leads to jobs and internships.

While the majority of the companies present at the career fair are dominant in technical- and business-based fields, it never hurts to skim through the list of employers who are attending. With the diversity of interests represented by our student population, there will be several companies for everyone on the campus. Don’t fall into the misconception that “there’s nothing there for me.”

For a freshman, the opportunities available might be sparse. Most companies seeking interns look for students who have completed a sizable portion of their undergraduate coursework. However, while this might be the case, freshmen should attend the career fair and talk to recruiters. Year after year, recruiters stay the same. Building a rapport and submitting a resume early will undoubtedly put a freshman student on their radars for future years.

Sophomores are in a bit of an unusual situation. Some companies might be looking to fill internship positions with sophomores so, like freshmen, sophomores should take the opportunity to get out there, gain experience on how to talk to recruiters and, in the process, pick up advice from these recruiters for the future. Also keep in mind that many companies will target juniors and seniors in the fall and come back in the spring seeking underclassmen, depending on the number of positions available.

For juniors, seniors and recent graduates, companies need you. But considering the amount of competition, they’ll only want you if you can show them you are the best candidate for the position. That’s why it is essential to have a polished resume highlighting your skills and accomplishments. In addition, take the time to research the companies attending that might have positions for you. Recruiters want to see interest and enthusiasm, so make their jobs easier by showcasing a basic understanding of their companies’ goals. Don’t take this to mean you can’t ask questions, because this is the best chance to find out more about a company or position. Bottom line: Network with recruiters, because they are here to help you secure jobs. For engineering students, the Engineering Co-op and Career Services is an excellent resource for resume, cover letter and interview help.

Considering that we just got back to school, it might seem early to already be planning out summer internships and jobs for 2016. Don’t be alarmed if you feel unprepared. Get the most out of the fair by getting your feet wet in the first wave of job and internship opportunities. Be open with recruiters and try to see what will be available in the spring. This will allow you to gauge where to apply now and what to look out for later. The university consistently welcomes recruiters, so there will be plenty of other opportunities. Just be open and look out for these opportunities as they become available.

Sauradeep Sinha, former opinion editor, is a sophomore chemical engineering major. He can be reached at ssinhadbk@gmail.com.