As an ambitious computer science major at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½,Β Kenny Nguyen ’25Β was already thinking ahead before graduatingΒ Β β€” about internships, industry connections and the kind of real-world experience that would launch his career as a cyber analyst for Deloitte & Touche.

Thanks to ’s dedicated support for STEM students, he had access to resources so he would not have to navigate that journey alone.

β€œEngineering is hands-down our most active liaison area,” says Taylor Sandifer ’23MA, assistant director of employer relations in Career Services who supports all STEM majors, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science. β€œCECS students show up to everything. They’re really engaged, and they take advantage of every opportunity.”

For Knights like Nguyen, that means access to employers through engineering-focused employer-led workshops, resume reviews, mock interviews, and the highly attended , which occurs annually in the fall at the Addition Financial Arena, where as many as 300 employers fill the venue.

Big Companies Recruit Knights

Before Expo, students canΒ participateΒ in the Career Readiness Program, a two-week series including industry-specific, employer-led sessions where recruiters host one-on-one resume reviews and mock interviews to help students prepare.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s employer-relations model attracts major companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Siemens Energy, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and Walmart directly to campus for tabling, information sessions,Β and networking events.

β€œEmployers coming in to recruit STEM talent will work with us to get connected,” Sandifer says. β€œWe help them get into the engineering atrium, set up information sessions, reach students through Handshake, and collaborate with CECS to spread the word.

β€œWe want students to see a clear path from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ to a career.”— Taylor Sandifer ’23MA, assistant director of employer relations in Career Services

β€œWe want students to see a clear path from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ to a career. When they put in the effort, and we can help make those connections, it all comes together.”

Sandifer has seen firsthand how transformative this can be.

β€œOne computer science student (Nguyen) showed up on the wrong day β€” in a suit β€”Β but stayed anyway,” she recalls. β€œHe came back the next day, met with recruiters, and weΒ connected him with Deloitte & Touche. He ended up getting the job. His hard work and willingness to show up made the difference.”

Real World Ready

Nguyen credits the Dixon Career Development Center in helping him shape his career path.

β€œIΒ wasn’tΒ very prepared initially and had no idea whereΒ to evenΒ start. It was overwhelming just thinking about it,” he says. β€œI attended an event I found off Handshake and it turned into me getting resume reviews, mock interviews, and attending events that got me to meet employers I was passionate about joining.”

He took advantage of summer appointments, interview strategies,Β and alsoΒ printed business cards to hand out to the company representatives at theΒ Internship andΒ Career Expo. Those efforts paid off with an opportunity at Deloitte β€” a place he was drawn to for its culture and its constant flow of new challenges.

His biggest takeaway from his experience with the Career Center is to be persistent and open to every opportunity.

β€œYou never know what conversation you have with someone that could turn into a huge career opportunity,” he says.

°Υ³σ±πΜύ will take place on Tuesday, March 10.