“It’s not your parents’ job market. With AI and intense competition, job seekers need to be more intentional,” says David Schmiesing ’92 MA ’01. And as Franciscan University’s dean for Personal Vocation, Schmiesing and his team are empowering today’s students to overcome obstacles to finding jobs and internships.
“In the past, the University hosted one ‘all-majors’ career fair per semester, and we would be pleased to have 150 or 200 students attend,” Schmiesing explains.
A change of strategy came in the 2021-22 school year.
“Dr. Chuck Nemeth, founder of the University’s Criminal Justice Program, sponsored a career fair with law enforcement agencies and related employers. Twelve organizations attended, drawing about 100 students. We saw how the narrower focus created more and higher quality conversations between the employers and students.”
Career Services replicated this approach with the Mission and Ministry Career Fair in spring 2023.
“The feedback was really positive, so we followed up in the fall with a Business and Industry Fair. Thirteen employers came, and over 160 of our accounting, business, computer science, and engineering students attended. The Education Career Fair in spring 2024 had similar success.”
Statistics further illustrate how this new approach helps both students and employers.
“During the 2021-22 year, we had 39 employers come to campus and engage with about 330 students at the two fairs. In 2024-25, we had 140 employers visit our five career fairs, engaging with over 1,080 students. So, we have tripled both the number of employers and student attendees in three years.”
Students have noticed the difference.
“The main feedback we get from students is gratitude,” Schmiesing says. “The career fairs bring employers who are looking to hire for jobs and internships directly to their doorstep. Particularly students in programs like education, business, and engineering appreciate that they can speak to 5, 10, or even more employers hiring in their field at the same event.”
Social work major Luis Amaya ’25 says his Career Fair “allowed me to have lots of conversations with recruiters from organizations that fit my background,” and one connection he made there led to his new job as a missionary for Vagabond Missions in Pittsburgh.
It’s not only the students who are grateful. One employer remarked in a survey, “I noticed lots of signage to advertise the event around campus. There was a lot of student traffic— so much that we think we need to bring another person to work our table as well. It’s a great problem to have!”
Schmiesing also credits the Pope St. Paul VI Event Center in the new Christ the Teacher Hall as a “game changer” contributing to this success.
“In the past, more than 25 or 30 employers made the event feel cramped in the J.C. Williams Center. We can now easily flex up to 40 employers. We had our largest event this past year with plenty of room for everyone. Also, the space makes the fairs feel like they are happening in a hotel ballroom, which sets a more professional tone.”
Many participating employers are alumni and receive a badge signing them as Franciscan grads.
“Acknowledging our alumni shows students you can give back to Franciscan in many ways. These alumni were also once job seekers, so they connect on the anxiety and stress of the job hunt. It can be comforting to have a fellow Baron in your corner.”
Career Services offers many digital tools for job-seeking students, but the Career Fairs remain key for those looking to connect with jobs and internships.
“Of course, students and employers can learn about and engage with each other online, and we help them do that as well. But at the end of the day, there is no substitute for being able to look someone in the eye, smile, and shake their hand.”
