(ABILENE, Texas) – They came. They networked. And they left with plenty of industry contact information.
Texas State Technical College students from the four West Texas campuses had the chance to walk around TSTC’s Industrial Technology Center to pass out resumes, ask questions and explore career opportunities during the recent Industry Job Fair that attracted more than 70 employers from around the state.
For Kaitlin Sullivan, a 2018 Wind Energy Technology graduate, the job fair saw her career come full circle. She is now a service technician for Koenig & Bauer, a German-based printing press manufacturing company where she once interned. She was attending the job fair as a recruiter.
“It is surreal to be here. I never thought I would be in this position,” she said. “Koenig & Bauer has a great relationship and is known for hiring TSTC graduates. We will be looking to hire four TSTC graduates this year for our 2024 internship program.”
Randall Craig, general manager of Rush Truck Centers in Abilene, said he was looking for one trait in particular.
“I want to talk to those students who are attentive and listen to what we are saying. I know then that they will be good in the shop,” he said.
Corey Rexrode, a recruiter with Boeing, said he wanted to talk to more than just TSTC’s aviation students.
“We can hire diesel students and welders because we will have positions for them to fill,” he said.
The students said the experience helped them, even if they had been interested in only one company beforehand.
“I had one company in mind, but I found myself talking to several,” said Casey Allen, a Wind Energy Technology student. “I know that I will keep my options open to where I want to work.”
Joseph Martinez, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration student, said he also wanted to visit with certain companies. But he was surprised by the variety of job opportunities.
“Today will help me make a good decision about what is available in the work environment,” he said.
Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
