The University of Southern Maine’s Job and Internship Fair brought more than 90 employers to its Portland campus on Oct. 8. Students had the chance to meet recruiters face-to-face, learn about opportunities across industries, and start building their professional networks.
Openings ranged from full-time careers to internships and part-time work, spanning fields from healthcare and engineering to finance and hospitality. Andy Osheroff, director of USM’s Career and Employment Hub, pointed students to one detail in particular: almost a quarter of the companies in attendance offer tuition reimbursement or remission.
“With so many of our students that work at least part time, I think this is an incredible benefit,” Osheroff said.
New this year, the Career Hub offered drop-in advising during USM’s Community Hour leading up to the fair, so students could prepare their résumés, practice introductions, and walk in ready to make a strong first impression.
“For many students, like first years, the job fair is part of the exploration and development process, where they can learn about businesses, navigate a large fair like this and begin to build their network,” Osheroff said.
Some of the fair’s most important work happened before the doors opened, when about 35 volunteers, including students, helped employers unload and set up their booths.
“I routinely hear that this is something that sets our fair apart from other places — our USM community shows up for our broader community,” said Osheroff. “They notice.”
That community includes a wide range of students. Osheroff said employers are drawn to USM in part by the range of students they meet, from different majors and colleges to different ages and life experiences. About 60% of USM students complete at least one internship before graduating, and nearly half are the first in their family to attend college.
“Many work as students and, by the time they graduate, have an understanding of the world of work that peers in other places may not,” Osheroff said.