Networking key at Meet the Firms

  Wednesday, September 14, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

When Kate Schendel spoke with Pitt State business students during Monday’s Meet the Firms event, she knew exactly what they were going through.

The nerves. The questions. The hopes.

It wasn’t too long ago that Schendel, a recruiter for Aston Carter in Kansas City, was on the other side of the handshake.

“As an alumnus of the Pittsburg State accounting program, Meet the Firms was one of my favorite events,” said Schendel, a 2012 graduate of Pitt State. “It’s an excellent way for students to get an intimate look at possible career paths and start to think about what will be next for them post-graduation.”

The annual Meet the Firms event connects Pitt State Kelce College of Business students with representatives from a variety of companies and organizations looking to hire students in the fields of accounting, economics, finance, auditing and other business-related fields. Nearly 30 companies attended this year’s event, which took place in the new Crimson and Gold Ballroom.

Meet the Firms is coordinated as a joint effort between the Kelce College of Business and Pittsburg State’s Office of Career Services.

For the more than 100 students who attended, the event serves as a first-hand look at what their futures could hold 

“Meet the Firms is so beneficial for all levels of business students, whether you're simply putting your name out there or looking for an internship or even a full-time position,” said senior V.J. Piccini, a double major in accounting and finance. “PSU does a great job developing relationships with companies, and it provides the students with opportunities that, without these resources, they might not have otherwise.” 

Piccini said he has enjoyed tangible benefits from the event that will serve him well after graduation.

“I've developed relationships with company recruiters which have allowed me to keep in contact with them, learn more about specific companies and job opportunities and keep updated with recruiting information,” he said.

Kaylin Moser, a junior majoring in finance and economics, said she appreciates all of the time PSU and the participating companies put into the event.

“I think it’s wonderful that the university and the companies here take the time to provide this opportunity to the students,” she said. “It’s such a benefit for us to be able to network with a variety of companies all in one day and on our home campus.”

Pete Rosen, chair of the Pitt State Accounting and Computer Information Services department, said Meet the Firms is one of the year’s premier events for business students.

“The way our students are getting jobs in 2016 is through internship experiences,” Rosen said. “Meet the Firms gave our students an opportunity to network with employers who were looking to hire students for both internships and full-time careers.  In the weeks following this event, many of the firms are coming back to conduct on-campus interviews. 

“Career Services does a wonderful job organizing events like these, and the more opportunities Pitt State students have to interact with employers, the greater the likelihood they will be placed in careers in their field,” he said. “A few departments have targeted career fairs like this, and we are happy to offer this yearly event to ACIS students.”

This year’s Meet the Firms event was sponsored by Combined Insurance, Koch Industries and Phillips 66.