Career Fair Links Students to Startups

PROVO, Utah – Dec 18, 2009 – A typical college career fair features logos from the top Fortune 500 companies, but at this career fair, the big names weren't even invited. Instead, the Utah Startup Marketplace, recently hosted at Brigham Young University, connected local ventures — many started by BYU students and alumni — with students looking for employment and internships.

"Startup companies don't get the same recruiting opportunities as their larger counterparts," says Jeff Brown, program director at the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, one of the sponsoring organizations. "This event allowed local startups to connect with BYU's talented students and helped students  find meaningful opportunities with these dynamic companies."

More than 800 students had a chance to connect with the 18 businesses that participated in the event, which took place in the Wilkinson Student Center garden court. Students learned about opportunities for internships and full- and part-time employment.

"It was nice to be able to put a face with companies that might have opportunities for me," says Madison Stevens, a senior marketing major from Mesa, Ariz. "Sometimes when you're in the job market, you're just submitting applications online, but at this career fair I got to speak directly with the decision makers."

Stevens interviewed with one company on the spot and later interviewed with several others that participated. She is excited about the prospect of working with a recently founded company.

"There is so much to learn from a new company as it grows and expands," she says. "As a marketer, it would be a cool opportunity to help build a brand from the ground up."

A small company's decision to hire recent graduates has advantages from the employer's perspective as well, explains Michael Alvarez, CEO of Avantar, a mobile phone application development company that attended the event.

"A lot of times it's better to start from scratch with somebody who's resourceful and has a basic education," he says. "The employee has a chance to grow with the company without carrying baggage from other companies."

Avantar collected about 25 resumes and offered internships and a full-time position as a result of the event.

The Utah Startup Marketplace was a collaborative effort by the CET, the Marriott School Business Career Center, BYU Career Services and the Fulton College of Engineering and Technology. The event was also supported by Silicon Slopes, the Novell Technology Center, Entice Labs and the Utah Technology Council.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, entrepreneurship, and recreation management and youth leadership. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,300 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.