2nd Annual Poultry Science Reverse Career Fair connects students with industry leaders

Instead of a traditional style career fair with companies at tables and students walking around, a reverse set-up was introduced where students were stationed at tables while company representatives mingled around the room. 71 students and 14 companies, with 36 representatives, were in attendance, of these over 30 students were seniors who will graduate in December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025. Each student submitted a resume and headshot, and all company representatives received a booklet with the student profiles and resumes.

Lesley Gleason, Program Manager, coordinated this event. "We have a super supportive industry who are eager to hire, so I thought this fresh approach to the career search process might be a fun twist for our students", she said. "This event provides our students with an immediate way to learn about career opportunities and learn how to articulate their experiences in an environment that is not an interview."

"Company representatives consistently express how impressed they are with the preparedness and professionalism of our students," says Audrey McElroy, Head. She also shares her enjoyment in reviewing students' resumes, noting their diverse involvement, unique professional experiences, and varied backgrounds that reflect the strength and potential of the program.

Events such as this one provides our students with the opportunity to forge valuable connections with future potential employers while securing summer internships or post-graduation employment. Historically our department boasts 100% job or professional school placement after graduation, with the average student receiving two to three offers. Lesley says that "networking opens doors to build relationships that may not be rewarded immediately, but could result in an opportunity 2 years or 5 years or 10 years from now.  The network they are actively building as a student will have a life long pay off if they pursue a career in the poultry or allied industry."

Poultry science students are required to take two key courses: POSC 381: Investigation of Professional Development in Poultry Science and POSC 481: Poultry Science Systems. These courses equip students with essential professional development skills to prepare them for careers after graduation.

For Lesley seeing her students connect with industry professionals is often a full-circle moment. "The night of the event, my favorite part is watching our students in action, applying all the professional development techniques we practiced and discussed in class. It’s a chance for them to put their networking skills to work and see the results firsthand," Lesley shares.

While the primary goal of this event is to help students find summer internships or full-time positions, it also continues to build relationships between students, stakeholders, and the poultry science department. McElroy says "Despite the enormity of the poultry industry, it is a tight network of many good people, and ensuring a stage is set to allow our students to meet some of these individuals is essential. Interactions that happen at the Reverse Career Fair could lead to many opportunities down the road for a student. This event is all about showcasing our students seeking careers or internships and allowing industry stakeholders the opportunity to match positions with students. "

We would like to extend our appreciation to all the companies that participated this year:

• Amick Farms, LLC
• Cal-Maine Foods Inc
• Butterball, LLC
• Simmons Foods
• Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• H-E-B
• JBS/Pilgrim's
• Aviagen Inc
• Cobb Vantress
• Tyson Foods
• Purina Animal Nutrition
• Greener Pastures Chicken
• Alltech
• ADM Animal Nutrition

Photos from the event can be found on the AgriLife Photoshelter