Southeastern hosts technology career fair
Monday, March 30, 2015
by: Tonya Lowentritt
1)
2)
1) CONNECTING WITH TECHNOLOGY – Tony Reeves, left, an informational technology major from Hammond, speaks with Moby Butt of ReadSoft about job opportunities with the company. ReadSoft was one of more than 30 area companies that participated in the second annual Tech Connect Career Day held at Southeastern Louisiana University on March 25.
2) CONNECTING WITH TECHNOLOGY – Lance Gisclair, left, a computer science major from Prairieville, speaks with Emile Combe of Laitram about job opportunities with the company. Laitram was one of more than 30 area companies that participated in the second annual Tech Connect Career Day held at Southeastern Louisiana University on March 25.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University hosted its second annual career fair for technology on Wednesday (March 25), attracting more than 30 area employers looking to fill numerous positions in high-demand tech fields.
A collaborative effort between the Office of Career Services and the Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology, "Tech-Connect 2015" had approximately 350 students who participated this year, according to Director of Career Services Kenneth Ridgedell.
Ridgedell said Tech-Connect offered two main components for employers deciding to participate – a mini career fair from 9 a.m. to noon and optional, same-day on-campus interviews for employers.
"At least 45 students were interviewed the day of the fair for specific post-graduation positions by potential employers and 19 interviews were scheduled for this week, representing a 64% increase in the number of on campus interviews held last year," he said. "This increase is a testament to the continued strong demand for technology majors in our region."
The fair showcased the university's computer science, engineering and industrial technology, and occupational, safety, health and environment (OSHE) majors.
"We held this special career fair because of the very high demand for these graduates in this region," said Computer Science and Industrial Technology Department Head Sebastian van Deldan. "It made sense to offer this new technology-specific recruiting event in order to provide employers interested in recruiting with an opportunity to do so face-to-face in a career fair setting."
In addition to the regular Southeastern Career Fair held each September, Ridgedell added, this fair allows tech companies an opportunity to interact with Southeastern students every six months.
"Moving forward, our plan is to continue to offer the annual, university-wide career fair in the fall, where all students are provided the opportunity to network with and be recruited by approximately 150 companies across all industries, and this technology-specific career day in the spring."
For more information about Tech Connect or Career Fair, contact Ridgedell at (985) 549-2121 or kridgedell@southeastern.edu.
