Aggies Forge Industry Connections at Career Fairs
Students connected with industry leaders at multiple career fairs, where companies recruited students for internships and full-time jobs.
Aggies Connect with 280 Companies at Construction Career Fair
Texas A&M University construction students packed the Legends Event Center on Thursday, Sept. 18, to take their next step toward internships or full-time jobs at the fall Construction Science Career Fair.
The event drew about 1,000 students and more than 900 company representatives from over 280 companies. Several employers even hosted on-site interviews.
The fair is Texas A&M’s largest departmental career fair but also the biggest college-hosted construction career fair in the nation, according to Industry Relations Coordinator Hernan Guerra Santos.
Santos said the fair is important because construction science students must complete a semester-long internship, study abroad or exchange program to graduate. “They can have anything from summer jobs as freshmen or sophomores, to the official [COSC] 494 internship,” Santos said.
Exploring Opportunities
Students said the variety of companies gave them a chance to explore different sectors of the construction industry and practice their networking skills. Jamie Rivera ’26, who interviewed with multiple companies while seeking a full-time position, said the fair helped her keep an open mind.
“I love all of the opportunities we have,” Rivera said. “We have a little bit of everything. We’re able to explore different sectors of construction, be open to any opportunity.”
Carissa Cowan ’26, who was looking for an international internship, said preparation is key. She advised students to research companies ahead of time and come ready with questions.
Recruiters said they notice when students put in the effort to research their companies.
“My favorite thing is when they’ve been to the website and they understand what we do, what makes Flintco tick,” said Daniel Oates ’01, senior project development manager at Flintco. “When they ask about our projects, it really says that the students are doing the research, and it makes us feel wanted and glad to be here.”
Architecture Career Fair Links Aggies with Internship, Job Opportunities
Hundreds of Texas A&M architecture students packed Langford A on Sept. 19 to meet more than 20 firms recruiting for internships and full-time positions at the bi-annual Architecture Career Fair.
The event, hosted in partnership with the Architecture + Industry Advisory Council (A+IAC) and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), gave students a chance to explore career opportunities while building relationships with industry leaders recruiting the next generation of Aggie architects.
Jennifer Landers, the department’s industry engagement director, explained the fair is designed to bridge students with professionals.
“It gives the newer students opportunities to meet the companies, understand what they're looking for, be able to let them review their resumes and get some good feedback,” Landers said.
Preparing for the Fair
For students, preparation was key. Many noted the fair was as much about how they presented themselves as the work in their portfolios.
Third-time attendee Jose Aguilar ’26 said recruiters notice personality and confidence just as much as technical ability.
“Don’t be afraid to showcase yourself and not your work,” Aguilar said. “I truly believe that at the end of the day, a lot of these recruiters are looking for someone that stands out, whether it’s your personality or just the way you present yourself.”
Aguilar added that his first career fair taught him the value of preparation. “My first one, I was completely lost,” Aguilar recalled. “I had no idea what to expect. I guess I kind of just showed up, and they didn't even have a printed portfolio. I had my work on my Instagram architecture account.”
First-time attendee Cheyenne Broesche ’28 said organizing projects throughout the semester makes portfolio preparation much easier.
“I have started folders for everything,” Broesche said. “Name your files, name your pictures, name everything, and divide it based on year, class project or type of work. It helps a tremendous amount."
Greg Brown ’26 recommended practicing how to communicate with recruiters. “Prepare an elevator pitch,” Brown advised. “You definitely need a portfolio of your best projects and a good resume.”
He also encouraged students to see the fair as an opportunity to make lasting connections.
“It’s more about getting the facial recognition and starting to build connections,” Brown said. “Get business cards, join people on LinkedIn. This is your time to get people to know your name.”
MLPD Career Fair
The Master of Land and Property Development (MLPD) program recently hosted an engaging job fair on Oct. 23, bringing students together with leading firms and industry professionals for a dynamic afternoon of networking, career exploration, and meaningful conversations. Participants had the opportunity to connect with potential employers, learn about advanced paths in real estate development, and discover how to apply their unique blend of business acumen and design skills to shape residential and commercial properties.
