As usual, many of the company representatives are AE alumni who always seem to enjoy their trip back to Penn State (Shannon Appleby Gasbarre ’02 came to Career Fair straight from her honeymoon - now that’s AE dedication!). The Monday evening reception held in Kunkle Lounge has proven to be a good way for past and present AEs (as well as other company representatives) to meet and mingle and renew old acquaintances. The casual tone of Monday becomes more formal on Tuesday when the fifth-years begin their job hunt, and companies begin their recruiting, in earnest.

Despite the sluggish economy, the corporate turnout at the 2002 AE Career Fair was excellent. In addition to the companies interviewing for full-time positions, a significant number of companies were looking for summer interns.

A number of companies remained on campus the day after Career Fair to conduct interviews, which were held in the brand new MBNA Career Services Center. While the Center is a bit of a hike for the students (it is located across from the outdoor pool on Bigler Road), feedback from the companies was positive. Parking is available next door to the Center, in Eisenhower Garage, and a snack bar is open on the ground floor. The individual interview rooms have phone and Internet services. (The interview rooms are available year-round, and if your company is interested in using that space in the future, call the AE office to make arrangements.)

The Career Fair’s success is due to a lot of hard work from the behind-the-scenes and unsung heroes: the front office and Copy Center staff, Jonathan Dougherty and Walt Schneider for their help with the set-up and clean-up, Paul Kremer for taking the photographs, and all of the AE students who served as hosts, helped at the registration table, delivered lunches, and did anything we asked.