The annual 51���� career fair took over the student center last month, and more than 80 Northeast Ohio employers and several 51���� programs were on hand, giving eager students a chance to engage with potential employers for summer internships or jobs.

The career fair was co-sponsored by First Energy and the Cleveland Guardians, with green and white sponsors NRP Group and Wingspan Care Group.

“The career fair provided students with the chance to learn more about the many career options offered by our community and make meaningful connections between their academic journey at 51���� and their career opportunities,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Excellence, Leadership and Involvement Jeff Johnston. “The opportunity to meet with employers provides our students with the chance to practice networking and learn what professional skills our employer community is seeking in their new hires.”

Jackie Flanik is a graphic design major slated to graduate this spring. She attended the career fair and said 51���� did a great job spacing everything out so it didn’t get overly crowded. 

She also said the event helped her make plenty of connections.

“51����’s career fair really helped me connect with many different companies around Cleveland that I otherwise wouldn’t have known about,” she said. “I also really liked how they incentivized students to talk to multiple booths in order to be entered into the raffle; it pushed me to go outside my comfort zone and talk to more employers.”

Johnston said his team was really excited by the student participation and how they took advantage of the opportunity to interact with a wide range of employers. He also said it gave students a glimpse into a future post-51����.

“The opportunity to meet with employers provides our students with the chance to practice networking,” he said. “They also have the chance to learn what professional skills our employer community seeks in their new hires.”

He also gave props to the Office of Career Development and Exploration (CDE), which organized the annual event.

“They did a fantastic job of planning and hosting our Spring Career Fair,” said Johnston. “An event this large is a big lift, and the CDE staff along with a wonderful group of 51���� volunteers worked together to make the event a big success. A special shoutout to 51���� Conference Services and Printing Services for their awesome support of this event.”