Making the right connection: MSOE hosts career fair for engineering students

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A first step for a first career, students at MSOE searched for the perfect job on Friday, October 10th. This career day has grown each year, giving students and employers more opportunity but also more competition.

Hundreds of students and alumni packed MSOE's Kern Center for the career fair.

"First time here it's kind of intimidating," said MSOE student, Travis Jones.

Jones is a junior studying electrical engineering.

"It's challenging, very challenging," said Jones.

His goal at for Friday -- land the perfect internship.

"An internship that will lead into more experience and then hopefully a job, and then a career," Jones said.

That's on the minds of every student at the event, and the employers too.

"They're anticipating that they're going to have this turnover, we're looking at the baby boomers retiring now, so this is an opportunity for them with the economy changing," said Dr. Mary Spencer, Director of Career Services at MSOE.

Each year, the fair adds more and new employers - General Kinematics is a returning booth. With MSOE graduates on staff, the students are in high demand.

"We know they produce quality engineers and they're definitely fir for our company," said Tom Doepker, Application Sales Engineer at General Kinematics.

A company that is looking to hire -- that's music to the ears of the soon to be graduates because concerns with students loan debt means there is some extra pressure.

According to a CNN report, student load debt is piling up on America's college graduates, topping an average $29,000 per student last year. But there's more good news for MSOE students.

"I know that the market is strong right now, particularly for engineering and nursing," said Spencer.

Now it's all about making the right connection.

"I'd like to leave here with at least 5 or 6 good contacts and follow up on them in the future," said Jones.

All students from freshman, to seniors and alumni were welcome to the career fair. The school holds one every year and it's always in the Fall semester.