Gabrielle Bowring, a junior majoring in computer science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, speaks with representative from Ameren at the Fall Internship & Job Fair. Students were able to connect with potential employers from 90 different companies at Friday’s event. (Photos by Burk Krohe)

Michael Rodriguez was prepared for anything at the Fall Internship & Job Fair at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Rodriguez, a junior majoring in cybersecurity, had his research in hand and was ready to make the rounds as soon as he stepped into the lobby of the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on Friday morning.

“I did have a plan,” he said. “I had a note written on my phone – it was pretty much every company that I wanted to talk to. I wrote down what they specialize in and the main things they do. Then I had a question or a conversation point written right after that. Most of the time, I didn’t even have to use the conversation point. It was there just in case, but the conversations flowed naturally.”

Rodriguez said he was looking to gain some experience in his field and explore internship opportunities. Matt Garland, a junior majoring in information systems and technology, was encouraged to attend the event by Associate Professor Shaji Khan. Like Rodriguez, he was looking to build his resume and make professional connections.

Both students had a handful of employers in mind that they were excited to visit. Garland was primarily interested in speaking with representatives from RGA, a global life and health reinsurance firm based in the St. Louis region. He noted that RGA had sponsored some club activities and events, such as a hackathon, he’d participated in at UMSL.

“I like that they are clearly involved and want to be invested in the students here, so it makes me interested in what they have to say,” he said.

Rodriguez was interested in companies that require heavy cybersecurity support such as Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency.

“They would definitely need a lot of security help because of the seriousness of the data that they have,” he explained.

Students and alumni had the opportunity to speak with representatives from a diverse range of businesses, federal agencies and organizations.

Garland and Rodriguez were just two of more than 500 students and alumni who attended the event. Representatives from 90 employers took advantage of the opportunity to connect with attendees face-to-face.

Teresa Balestreri, director of UMSL Career Services, said this fair was unique because many employers were looking ahead and identifying potential interns for summer 2025.

“We remain strategic to ensure that students from all academic programs have the opportunity to connect with employers at our bi-annual, campus-wide fairs,” Balestreri said. “Internships remain the number one hiring pipeline for employers, so it is obviously an important event for students.”

Potential employers represented a diverse range of businesses, federal agencies and organizations, including Ameren, BJC HealthCare, Emerson, Edward Jones, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, St. Louis CITY SC, St. Louis Public Radio and more.

Hanna Lenz, a senior majoring in communication, came into the event openminded and ready to explore all her options.

“My game plan is to sell myself – the involvement that I’ve done on campus,” she said. “I’m in a sorority. I’m a peer mentor here, so hopefully that can help me stand out a little bit more.”

UMSL alum Daniel Thorne (center) converses with an attendee Friday. Thorne was recruiting summer interns for Pfizer.

Gabrielle Bowring and Maya Lev each took a similar approach. Bowring, a junior majoring in computer science, and Lev, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, were interested in big companies such as Ameren, BJC and Pfizer. However, they planned to make the most of the fair by visiting every single booth.

Things were going well after their first round of conversations.

“Everyone’s really supportive, and they try to be helpful where they can,” Bowring said. “It’s been great.”

Rodriguez echoed that sentiment and noted that he had a good discussion with representatives from Enterprise Mobility. He was impressed with the company’s IT department and said it jumped to the top of his wish list of potential internships.

UMSL’s driven, prepared students made a positive impact throughout the day.

Two-time UMSL alum Daniel Thorne was in attendance representing Pfizer, where he serves as a manager in the analytical research and development department. The multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation has a foothold in the region via an office and pharmaceutical lab in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Many attendees came prepared to hand out resumes to potential employers.

Thorne, who graduated from UMSL in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and in 2018 with a master’s degree in biochemistry and biotechnology, was recruiting for summer internships to help students bolster their resumes. He was impressed with the enthusiasm on display.

“Lots and lots of energy, lots of interest even from outside the sciences,” he said. “I’ve talked to someone from sociology, from psychology, someone from mechanical engineering. Then, of course, there’s a lot of interest from the biochemistry biotechnology programs and then the PhD students, as well.”

It was Thorne’s first time attending the Fall Internship & Job Fair, and he enjoyed taking part in such a vibrant event.

“It’s exciting, seeing all the different vendors, all the different opportunities for the students,” he said. “It seems like a great environment for the students to come and talk about themselves, bring their resumes and open some doors, hopefully.”