Mastodon Career Expo has area employers coming back for more

Wearing a black suit and carrying a black folder full of 30 résumés, sophomore Lucas Wilson looks prepared, confident, and ready to work as he scans more than 90 employers at the Mastodon Career Expo in early March. The computer science major talked to many potential employers in the Lutheran Health Fieldhouse before leaving for a midterm exam.

“I’m kind of grinding,” Wilson said. “I’m hoping for an internship or maybe a part-time job that I can continue to work throughout the school year.”

On average, more than 400 Purdue University Fort Wayne students take advantage of the annual opportunity to introduce themselves to those looking to hire. Efficiency, preparation, and poise are key in the attempt to make a positive impression. Professional attire is a must, with the Mastodon Career Closet always available to help.

With so many employers gathered in one spot, it’s impossible to reach out to them all individually.

“What we hope is that from the connections the students make today, they get to go through the interview process,” said Jackie Stancil, executive director of PFW’s Career Development Center. “Usually, the first one is a virtual introduction, and then they will get an in-person interview. Hopefully, they will get invited to either a summer internship or a grad job.”

The Career Development Center holds two career expos—one in the fall and one on the spring—and constantly adapts to make the process better. Because of the quality of the event and the students, most companies attend both.

Delaney Fosnaugh, corporate recruiter for long-time primary sponsor Shambaugh & Son, said she was looking to hire 15-20 students. Last spring, Fosnaugh estimated she talked to about 150 students.

“Purdue schools are really great for us, and coming out of here, you know they are well-trained,” Fosnaugh said. “Recruiting season for colleges is mostly fall and spring, but summer is the busiest time for the construction industry, so we’re hiring engineers and field employers.”

PFW graduates Alex Blauvelt, B.S. ’21, and Lucas Fallon, B.S. ’14, represented MedPro and said they recruit at least five students each year to their 1,300-employee workforce. 

“We’ve had an established relationship with PFW for many years and a lot of success with this career fair,” Fallon said. “That relationship that built up over time has led to a lot of good people working at MedPro.”

Blauvelt said it’s important for students to take the chance and begin establishing relationships at the expo.

“You may be surprised by what you find because there’s a lot of opportunities, and you might save yourself a lot of legwork,” Fallon added. “You can find a hidden gem in a place you didn’t realize was an opportunity for you.”

Nick Craghead, talent acquisition manager for Weigand Construction, said he has more than 10 full-time workers who are PFW graduates and another six interns. He was specifically looking to fill roles in construction management this time.

“We find students that go to school here typically live in the community, and people that are living in these communities are more tied to where they are from,” Craghead said. “It also helps that it’s a well-organized event, and the students are engaged and have been coached well.”