Ferris State University held its annual fall career expo on Oct. 2 in the Student Recreation Center.
The goal of the event was to assist students with building connections with potential employers, especially in the current job economy.
Employers from various fields come to the event to speak with and recruit students.
The career expo provides students with the opportunity to showcase their skills and connect with potential employers through one-on-one conversation.
Ferris students looking for future job opportunities at the career fair. Photo by: Delaney Stewart | Photographer
Students hand out resumes to employers in hopes of standing out from other applicants .
The biggest challenge employers are currently faced with is an influx of applicants and not enough positions .
When a job posting goes up, what would normally receive 20 applicants is now receiving hundreds.
More employers are being strict when it comes to the hiring process.
In order for students to gain an internship, they are going to have to work harder for those positions. With competition going up and demand on the decline.
Talent Acquisition for Sherwin-Williams Stephanie Vertal stated that the company has become more selective as more applicants are rolling in.
“We had a lot of job openings after COVID and now we don’t have as many openings. So now we’re being a little more selective,” Vertal said.
Companies including Handshake, Hayworth, and the Secretary of State face the challenge of finding quality applicants.
According to hiring manager for the Oakland County Government Nicholas Gazowski, students coming out of graduation need to expect lower salaries.
“Hate to say, but, salaries. They’re probably gonna be a little bit lower than what you anticipate,” Gazowski said.
Gazowski also expressed that some employers are finding it less costly to hire someone with less experience versus more. Some employers feel it is less costly to hire someone with less experience versus more experience.
“When we look at candidates, do we want somebody who has 20 years of experience that could be more costly?” Gazowski said. “Stress levels have gone up, which leaves employees questioning if they’re going to lost their jobs.”
Students who hope to obtain a dream job or internship are faced with a tough reality .
Artificial Intelligence sophomore Lola Watterson explained that with a rough job market, students are left with questions and uncertainty about the future and job security.
‘’My major was Biology, but I ended up thinking about the future and how the pay will be,” Watterson said.
Beyond the classroom, students are working harder to cultivate the interpersonal and professional skills necessary to stand out to employers.
“If you talk to my current employer, they would say I am hard working, pick up on things fast and a people person,” Watterson said.
On the other side of things, some companies are thriving in this climate.
Senior Product Specialist at Handshake Mark McDonald expressed that the company is doing well despite the current job market.
“Our company is doing quite well in the economy by virtue of a few diversified approaches,” McDonald said.
Despite the current environment, some students are managing reasonably well in this economy.
Mechanical Engineering sophomore Cornell Young stated that his experience has been fine.
“I would not say that I’ve had a hard time finding a job,” Young said. “The jobs that I apply for, I already have the experience.”
Director of Career and Professional Success Angela Roman stated that students can advance themselves by developing wanted skills.
“They are looking for job-specific skills and a bachelor’s degree,” Roman said. “They’re looking for students who can think critically and are adaptive to change and technology.”
Roman further explained that while degrees remain important, employers are also prioritizing strong problem-solving and adaptability skills.
Students looking for assistance with resumes and career readiness can make an appointment with CAPS on the Ferris website.
