Brianna Linehan, a senior majoring in marketing, came to the Business Career Expo on Wednesday ready to impress employers.
Linehan was eager to talk to recruiters about her course work, leadership experiences and her recent internship at Equitable in New York, where she helped create a website.
“I love these fairs and all the networking opportunities they offer,’’ said Linehan of Southington, Conn. “I’m excited to talk about my experiences and to look for a job where that I can grow and further develop my skills.’’
The School’s 10th Business Career Expo on Wednesday drew hundreds of students looking for internships and permanent jobs at some of the region’s most prestigious companies. From the moment the doors opened, the two presentation halls were filled with students.
More than 50 companies attended the Expo, including Synchrony, IBM, Global Atlantic, FDIC, CVS Health, RTX, General Dynamics, Cigna, Target, Travelers and the U.S. State Department.
Kathy Hendrickson, director of the Business Career Development Office, said student attendance broke records this year, and that she noticed students and recruiters were deeply engaged. “The recruiting season starts earlier each year for business students and the September expo reflects the need to make connections early,’’ she said.
“We often hear statements that the career fairs have lost their significance,’’ Hendrickson said. “On the contrary, we continue to see how invaluable a one-to-one conversation can be. A five-minute conversation can create the connection that leads to an exciting first career, often in an industry that wasn’t anticipated.’’
Many of the corporations sent recent UConn alumni to represent their businesses.
Among them was alumnus Carter Gravina ’24, who graduated in May with a major in business management. He now works as a provider contract analyst at Cigna, and was eager to share his experience at the company.
“The corporate culture here is awesome,’’ he said. “We have training programs that help new employees get acclimated to their role. I’ve met 21 people in my cohort and have a great network throughout the company.’’
He said he and his colleagues would be looking for students with enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and interest in healthcare. The company has openings in diverse areas, ranging from tech to clinical roles.
Gravina said his UConn education prepared him well for the challenges of the workplace. “I took [Associate Dean] Nora Madjar’s negotiations class and it helped me in the role I’m in now and the interview process,’’ he said. “I learned so much about the value of relationships.’’
Senior Muhammad Ali, of West Hartford, was interested in meeting all the employers representatives, particularly those from Cigna and The Hartford. He is interested in a job in public relations or marketing, and hopes to stay in the area near his two younger sisters.
“I’m definitely interested in something where the day-to-day work would not be repetitive, a job with good benefits, and a good work-life balance,’’ he said. In exchange, Ali said he can offer a strong skill set in communications and is a hard worker.
Alumnus Easton Riley ’16, is the CFO of the U.S. Federal Market at IBM, where he has worked for more than eight years. Riley attended the Stamford campus and majored in financial management. He was happy to be on campus Wednesday and meeting business students.
“We’re looking for people who are interested in working at IBM, who have done research about our company, and are enthusiastic about technology,’’ he said. “I’d be impressed by someone who asks good questions, is personable, and is highly motivated.’’
Recent graduate Katy Ortega ‘24, is in a marketing rotational program at Synchrony. She said the company has won several awards as a top workplace and she thinks they are well deserved. She is grateful for the opportunity to explore different career avenues at work.
“So many seniors feel pressure to know exactly what they want to do. Synchrony helps you learn, meet different people, and gain information,’’ she said. “I didn’t want to start a full-time role and not like it.’’
“We’re looking for student who want to be leaders. This program puts you on a fast-track, so we want someone who has drive, who isn’t afraid to ask questions, someone who is his or her authentic self, and is honest about what they need,’’ she said. “At Synchrony, I feel very taken care of. We draw people from across the country. We have wellness coaches so that you bring your best self to work, so that you feel good every day.’’
Financial management students Blessing Forson, a junior, and Crystal Wiredu-Ennin, a senior, came from the Stamford campus to attend the Expo. Both women are looking for challenging positions, a good work-life balance, and a culture that is welcoming.
The women were eager to share their experiences, which included strong academic achievements, roles as tour guides and in student government, studying abroad, internships, and leadership within the Women in Business committee.
Wiredu-Ennin said she especially enjoyed the opportunity to meet potential employers at the Expo, allowing her to make a great first impression and also get a better idea of what companies would be a good match for her.
Alumna Clare Wieduwilt ’21, who is in an underwriting leadership development program at CVS in Hartford, said she was impressed by the students who are following in her footsteps.
“The students I’ve met seem very eager to prepare for their careers. We’ve even had some freshmen come through. I’m surprised at how proactive they are,’’ she said. She said she was looking for students who had valuable experience, passion and drive.
She planned to tell students that CVS “is a very caring company, both in terms of its customers and its employees. It is a great place to work!’’
