HPU Students Connect with 100+ Employers at Spring Career & Internship Expo

High Point University students who participated in the spring Career and Internship Expo learned about a wide variety of jobs and internships and had the opportunity to connect with more than 100 companies on March 14 at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. Pictured at left is an HPU student at the expo greeting a recruiter for Coleman Research, a leading expert network service provider and subsidiary of VisasQ, Japan’s top expert network. 

HIGH POINT, N.C., March 15, 2024 – High Point University students who participated in the spring Career and Internship Expo learned about a wide variety of jobs and internships and had the opportunity to connect with more than 100 companies on March 14 at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center.

Students dressed professionally and arrived with resumes to talk with recruiters. Many students posed for professional headshots taken free of charge for their LinkedIn accounts.

HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development organizes Career and Internship Expos twice each academic year to connect undergraduate and graduate students with employers, as well as additional career fairs focused on specific majors and dozens of professional development events. The expo attracts companies with locations across the country including Morgan Stanley and Novant Health, as well as state-level and local firms.

“I shared to employers you are more than just a representative behind the booth, you are also an educator to help students understand the products you provide and the skills developed within your organization,” said Dr. Doug Hall, HPU’s vice president of career and professional development. “As the Premier Life Skills university, we make sure that students know what it means to be adaptable to the culture, critical thinkers, great communicators and entrepreneurs.”

Through their interaction and engagement at the career expos, students and employers learn more about each other, develop rapport and consider directions they may not have before, Hall said.

“Honestly, it’s been really helpful to network and meet some new companies that I probably wouldn’t have met,” said Chrissi Penn, a 2023 HPU business administration graduate from Columbus, Ohio, who is working toward a master’s degree in communications and business leadership. “I’m seeking full-time employment as I’m about to graduate in May, so it’s been helpful to explore options.”

Networking was the biggest benefit for Walker Jacobs, a junior business administration major from Los Angeles, California.

“I’ve heard from my friends who are HPU alumni that some still work for the companies they met here,” said Jacobs. “You just never know when you can use those connections. It’s been good to come out and talk to people. It’s simply good practice.”

Parker Crumrine, a junior sports media major from Dallas, Texas, agreed the career expo provided networking practice.

“I’m learning from the experience of talking with recruiters and putting myself out there,” said Crumrine.

A’lajuwan “Smiley” Robinson, a business administration graduate student from Columbia, South Carolina, said he was interested in applying for a U.S. Secret Service job after talking with an agent at the expo.

“I learned it’s a really tough job, but well worth it,” said Robinson. “If you’re detailed and structured and you’ve got your priorities in order, then it will be a good fit for you.”

Jenny Ngo, a sophomore biology and pre-pharmacy student from High Point, said she talked with Labcorp about the medical laboratory’s North Carolina division.

“I learned that if you apply and get in, they’re basically going to train you at no cost,” said Ngo. “If you get through all the training, you get offered a position.”

The North Carolina Department of Revenue is actively recruiting business and criminal justice majors, said Beth Collins, a tax enforcement and competence recruiter.

“We have a high vacancy rate for tax auditors and field auditors,” Collins said. “We have filled all our internships for this summer, but we are taking resumes and talking to students about interns for 2025. We usually start filling those in October.”

Brooke Kessler, director of firmwide strategy for Morgan Stanley, said the international investment bank and financial services company also had filled its summer internships. She travelled from New York City to HPU to talk with sophomores and juniors about 2025 internships and seniors about full-time jobs to be posted in September.

“They’re asking really good questions, which is great to see,” said Kessler.