April 17, 2008

Capitol College's 2008 Career Fair was nothing short of a "tremendous success." Approximately 220 students, including Capitol graduates and undergraduates, and those traveling from the Mid-Atlantic region and as far away as Penn State, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Texas visited with a record 56 employers representing government agencies and private business in the local area.

"We had so many employers comment on how impressed they were with the Capitol students," commented Dianne Veenstra, Capitol's Vice President of Planning and Assessment and CIO. "Their dress, attitudes and resumes were indications of the high caliber professionals they will be when they graduate and enter the working world."

To kick off this year's event, the Capitol chapter of IEEE welcomed Merrill W. Buckley, Jr., a retired Naval Officer in Electronics and Communications and former IEEE president, to speak to students about "Practical Aspects of Career Development."

Among many interesting tidbits on careers and success, Buckley wanted students to know that engineering, unlike some other professions, moves fast. "It changes all the time," he said. "You can't just take a break from it for awhile and hop back into the career. Most likely, it will have changed too much for your experience and skills to be relevant. You always have to be moving and changing along with the times."

Several Capitol alumni graced the McGowan Academic center by representing their employers, a sure sign that Capitol is a well-known institution turning out some of the brightest young engineers and computer scientists in the region.

"Overall the employers were very pleased with the event and the quality of the students and alumni," said Tony Miller, Director of Career Services. "I would also like to thank all of the staff, students and faculty who helped prepare for and work at the event. It takes many volunteers to put the event together each year and everyone’s dedication is greatly appreciated."