Madison Long
Life Editor
Tables smashed against every wall and hardly enough breathing room between business partners, but smiles and handshakes still fill the Pond Student Room Ballroom. Nervous students twist their revamped resumes in their hand, prepared with their two-minute elevator speech and ready to ramble about the years of high school fast-food service that make them perfect for McCains Food Manufacturing.
This year’s free Spring Career Fair was hosted February 25, 2026 from 10-2 p.m. A record of 75 employers were present, greeting any and all professionally dressed students with conversations for full-time, part-time, summer or internship positions.
Booths at the event represented job chances from surrounding states – Wyoming, Utah – various out-of-state employers – Virginia, Texas – and numerous industries – civil engineering, teaching, social work, social media, accounting and general workforce to name a few.
“I think it can take some of the pressure off because it’s not just spotlighted on you and you answer all these questions. There’s a lot going on,” says Virgina Barnett, the Off-Campus Career Path Internship Program Coordinator. “Meet with them, shake hands, have a short conversation, and move on.”
Starting in the early 90’s, the ISU Career Center hosts several career fairs annually to help students connect with potential employers, network and practice job confidence. Next semester, potentially explore the August part-time job fair (usually held during the first week of school) and the October STEM-specific fair.
Other opportunities planned for later this spring include the April 9th, FBI information session and an online JC Penney collaboration event – Suit Up – bringing discounted professional clothing to students. While targeted towards upperclassmen ready to graduate, graduate students or alumni, Barnett mentions that for underclassmen, the Spring Career Fair offers students the chance to learn about the different opportunities employers have to offer. From there, students can begin tailoring their electives or classes to the specific training and experience employers are searching for.
“I think students really need to take these seriously, even if they’re not graduating,” says Lance Erickson, Director of the Career Center. “I always recommend students get a business card where there’s contact information that they could then follow back up with that employer. And students don’t have to leave campus to talk to all these employers.”
Outside of the career fairs, students can use the Career Center to work on their career readiness and communication skills – as highlighted in the ROAR weekly newsletters that flood the student email inboxes. A one credit career and life planning class, Counseling 1150, is also offered to students, along with various presentations throughout the year.
For those planning to visit the Career Center for advice, their office can be found at the Museum Building, fourth floor, in room 418.
“A lot of students, especially when they first come here, they’re very unsure about what they want to do. I was one of those students a long time ago,” says Erickson. “We can help them with that so they feel less stressed and have more of a plan and a path moving forward.”
Contact the Career Center at (208)-282-2380 at careers@isu.edu.