Connecting classroom learning with career opportunities at UA’s fall Co-op Career Fair
More than 1,000 students met with 216 companies at The University of Akron’s fall Co-op Career Fair, exploring career paths and connecting with employers about co-ops, internships and full-time opportunities.
The University of Akron (UA) College of Engineering and Polymer Science welcomed 1,094 students and hundreds of industry representatives to its fall 2026 Engineering, Engineering Technology and Computing Co-op Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. The event connected students with employers seeking talent for co-op, internship and full-time career opportunities across a variety of industries.
Organized by the college’s Co-op and Placement Program, the biannual fair gives students opportunities to explore career paths, build professional connections and learn about positions that align with their academic interests and experience. This fall, 216 companies participated, including 18 attending the fair for the first time. The companies were represented by 643 recruiters, including 218 University of Akron alumni.
Getting ready to connect
In the weeks leading up to the fair, the Co-op and Placement Program offered a series of career preparation opportunities, including a professional headshot day, a career fair preparation workshop and a resume review workshop. These offerings helped students refine their application materials, prepare for conversations with recruiters and make the most of their time at the fair.
Students also had access to company information, position requirements and an employer map through Handshake, the University's job and career networking platform, allowing them to identify organizations of interest and prepare questions before arriving.
“I appreciated all of the available materials leading up to the fair, such as the map of where to find companies, knowing what companies would be attending, and seeing what the qualifications for each offered position was on Handshake,” said Ben Boggs, a sophomore. “Having these materials ahead of the fair allowed me to get the most out of the few hours I was able to attend without wasting any time.”
For other students, the fair provided valuable practice in professional communication and an opportunity to learn directly from employers and alumni. Junior Breanna Sasanecki appreciated the chance to speak with recruiters in person and hear about co-op experiences from former students.
“I got to talk to employers in person and many of them treated our interaction as an application/interview for the positions,” Sasanecki said. “I also enjoyed that many employers brought former co-op students with them because they were able to speak on the experience.”
The fair also helped students discover opportunities they might not have considered otherwise. Senior Johnathan Krych said conversations with employers sometimes pointed him toward positions that better matched his interests, even when a company was not specifically recruiting for his major.
Freshman Caleb Styskal valued the opportunity to gain experience approaching employers, asking questions and learning how to present himself professionally.
Employers see the value in UA talent
Employers praised the quality and professionalism of UA students, highlighting their preparation, thoughtful questions and relevant experience.
Eric Watson '06 of Air Enterprises was particularly impressed by students’ professionalism, noting that they arrived dressed appropriately, made confident introductions, asked thoughtful questions and researched companies before approaching recruiters. The experience also reinforced his pride as a UA engineering alumnus.
“I was proud to be a UA Engineering alumni yesterday and seeing how high UA sets the bar,” Watson said.
A DuPont recruiter also praised students’ preparation and the breadth of their experiences, noting their academic backgrounds, project work and involvement in mentoring and supporting other students.
For employers, the fair offers an efficient way to meet prospective employees, identify promising candidates and build relationships with future talent. An AVID Architects representative appreciated the steady flow of students throughout the event, noting that it made the four-hour fair an efficient use of employers’ time.
The fair also provides a valuable opportunity for companies to develop their co-op talent pipelines. A Stanley Black & Decker recruiter said he was impressed by students’ preparation and the quality of candidates, noting that the fair helps the company connect with prospective co-op students.
For UA alumni representing employers, returning to campus offers a chance to reconnect with the university and encourage current students.
Building connections, exploring careers
“The Co-op Career Fair is an important opportunity for students to put their preparation into practice, build professional relationships and explore where their education can take them,” said Dr. Selena Myers, director of the Co-op and Placement Program. “By bringing students and employers together, we help students make meaningful connections and give employers the opportunity to meet the next generation of engineering and computing professionals.”
The Co-op and Placement Program supports the College of Engineering and Polymer Science’s commitment to experiential learning by helping students connect classroom knowledge with real-world professional experience. Through co-ops, internships and employer engagement, students can develop technical and professional skills while exploring potential career paths.
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