Career Opportunities Fair is crucial in tight job market

Seventy-three organizations were on campus Thursday, Oct. 13, to participate in St. Kate's annual Career Opportunities Fair.

St. Catherine hosts the largest on-campus job fair of the the private colleges in Minnesota. Organizations included 3M, Allina Hospitals and Clinics, Hennepin County, Macy's, Mayo Clinic, Graybar Electric Co., MN Veterans Home, Thomson Reuters, Securian Financial Group, Peace Corps, US Bank Minnesota and Walgreens.

Given the current job market, the event was especially important this year. St. Kate's students had the opportunity to network and interview for positions in a variety of career fields that included nursing and other healthcare sectors, manufacturing, education, biotechnology, insurance, finance and banking, social services,communications media, government and human services (social work, corrections, family/child/youth).

Phillip Baumgam, recruitment director from ACR Homes, has been attending St. Kate's Career Fair for years. The students draw him back every year, he says: "They are a class act; they have done their homework. They're also really great workers. I've hired many over the years."

Ramin Rigi from Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc., also a veteran employer participant, was recruiting for a summer sales internship position. He, too, commented on the high caliber of St. Catherine students: "They are always prepared." Liberal arts majors and professional degree students were all well served by this impressive annual event.