UCO Internship Fair Brings Professional Development Opportunities to Students

The University of Central Oklahoma hosted an internship fair for students at the Nigh University Center on Feb 18, with numerous organizations, companies, and graduate schools setting up booths at the fair. 

The purpose of the internship fair is for students to meet with professionals in the business world. The fair provides opportunities to network for students on the verge of graduation. 

The event was free and open to the public. Hundreds of students from different majors walked around the booths at the fair. 

Sarah Krivy is the Event Specialist for the Career Development Center at UCO. Krivy is one of the people who oversee the internship fair each spring. 

“What we’re doing is inviting employers from off campus to present their job opportunities,” Krivy said. “This is external employers coming on campus to hire our students.” 

Krivy said that the turnout is usually around 400-500 students at internship fairs. 

“We’re anticipating our students will have the opportunity to compete for internships, full and part-time jobs, and graduate opportunities,” Krivy said. 

Several UCO alumni attended the fair alongside current students. Some alumni were involved with organizations at the fair, such as the Oklahoma State Fair. 

Krivy said that some alumni are searching for job changes or want to pursue graduate school. 

“We’re looking for professionals to move their career forward,” Krivy said. 

Different tables had brochures and business cards available for interested students. Various tables had freebies like sodas and different types of candy. Internship opportunities were marked down on each table. 

Countless students were networking with professionals. A majority of students were dressed professionally for the internship fair. 

Krivy said students can come to the internship fair and learn how to network. Students have the opportunity to network with 86 employers. 

Other options include mock interviews and assistance in narrowing career opportunities, Krivy said. Krivy said that students can also make appointments with their career specialists. 

The CDC has resources to aid students in landing internships and jobs outside of college. The office at the CDC helps students build their resumes. 

Handshake is a platform for UCO students to find internship opportunities within their major. All UCO students already have an account made for them. Students can search on the platform and consider all the options available. 

The organizations in attendance ranged from nonprofit organizations to big corporations like Love’s, the Oklahoma City Zoo, and Penske. 

Every organization had one or two people at each table ready to network and answer questions. People from the organizations saw opportunities in the internship fair to showcase their efforts. 

“We just wanted to meet students and share more about opportunities that we have with our jobs,” said Ivy DeLowera of Anna’s House Foundation. 

“There’s a lot of wonderful candidates here and a great opportunity to connect with new talent,” said Melissa Risenhoover of the Oklahoma State Fair.  

“We’re hiring pretty heavily here at (Paycom.) We’re looking for opportunities to be in front of students and present internship and job opportunities,” said Brianne Gordon of Paycom. 

“We’re trying to get our name out there. We literally just started our internship program as well,” said Timber Bradley of the First Americans Museum. 

“I am looking for summer interns. We are looking for a variety of people to be in the business world. We have different projects we’re looking to complete with the help of interns over the summer,” said Jessica Hull of Martin Bionics.