Engineering students will have the chance to meet with potential employers at University of Idaho next week.

The Engineering Career Fair, which is also open to WSU students, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, followed by an interview session from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“In the morning students can talk to recruiters, ask them questions about the company and talk with them about available positions and internships,” said Leah Andrews, public information officer with the UI College of Engineering. “They can set up an interview for that afternoon so that employers have a chance to learn more and see if the student is a good fit for their company.” There will be more than 50 employers at the fair, including Boeing, Chevron and Georgia-Pacific, Andrews said.

The fair is focused on connecting students with employers, but students of all ages are welcome to attend.

“A lot of people think career fairs are just for students in their junior or senior year, but internships are so vital, especially for engineering students,” Andrews said. “Even if you don’t end up with an internship, you are getting yourself acquainted with the companies and you get started at thinking about what you would like to do later. Attendance is never a bad thing.” Internships with a company can sometimes lead directly to a position.

“Our biggest pipeline to new hires is our internship program,” said Crista Blood, college recruiter for the Boeing internship program. “Our intern program is real work. It is for those who want to experience real corporate work. Interns are doing the same things as our full-time people are doing, just in a 12-to-14 week program.” There are several things students can do before attending the fair to make the most of their visit.

“Students should do their homework before they get there to show that they took the time to learn about the company before,” Andrews said. “There are also workshops to help with interviews and resumes. It is also never a bad idea to ask for a business card and then follow up with a letter or e-mail thanking the recruiter for their time. Also students should come with a resume and be ready to hand them out if recruiters ask.” Blood gave a few tips for students from the recruiter’s viewpoint.

“We are looking for juniors with a good GPA, strong communication skills, leadership on- and off-campus and people with initiative,” she said. “Students should have an idea of what they are looking for and what they are interested in. They should also think about the projects they have done so they can talk about them with recruiters. Also, why they are interested and what they can bring to the company.” Students can network with employers at the Engineering Career Fair at UI on Monday or at the Career Expo of the Palouse from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in Beasley Coliseum.