The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering Career Day on September 23, attracted more than 450 students and 300 recruiters from 81 organizations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held virtually for the first time. More than 2,000 one-on-one conversations via text, audio and video were held between students and recruiters.
“This virtual Career Day event was an amazing way to connect our students with our industry partners during these ever changing times,” Dean Brennon Morioka said. “While talking and engaging with someone face to face is an irreplaceable experience, everyone seemed to adapt well to this virtual platform. We know our industry partners met with many well qualified students, but we also know this kind of networking event is an important learning moment for our students to help them grow and understand what they need to work on to continually improve. That is just the nature of our industry.”
The event was split into two 3-hour sessions. The morning session featured military, government and mainland organizations, and included the Mānoa Career Center, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, City and County of Honolulu and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific.
The afternoon session spotlighted Hawaiʻi-based private firms, and included the Applied Research Laboratory at UH, Oceanit, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company and Hawaiʻi Gas.
“We’re thrilled to have received great feedback from both booth representatives and candidates, and look forward to making our Spring Career Day even better,” said Kim Perez Hults, the fair’s organizer and College of Engineering’s director of marketing and outreach relations.
The college’s spring Career Day will be held during Engineers Week on February 24, 2021. The event will be virtual, with the goal of having some accompanying in-person elements, pending COVID-19 restrictions.
