Get off to a strong start at the Mastodon Internship and Career Fair

Many freshmen and sophomores believe they’ll have plenty of time in the future to take part in opportunities like next week’s Mastodon Internship and Career Fair, so they skip the chance without giving it much thought. But time has a funny way of getting really tight the further you move down the road—and members of the Career Development Center’s team want everyone to remember something covered during new student orientation.

“We know you might be a freshman, but we still recommend that you come to the fair just to get the experience of talking to someone professional or someone who recruits,” said Estefania Martinez, a career counselor at Purdue University Fort Wayne. “Come in to our office as early as possible, come in often, and try to use our services more.”

There are some obvious reasons for students to follow this sort of recommendation, the biggest being the earlier start means more experience putting themselves out there to potential employers.

PFW’s career fairs are offered once each semester in the Lutheran Health Fieldhouse, including Sept. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. On average, more than 400 students and between 80 and 100 area employers take part. Students can log in to Handshake to see the full list of companies scheduled to be on site and start to plan who they want to talk to.

Sometimes, seniors have been known to walk into the Career Development Center a couple of weeks before graduation and expect miracles. On the other hand, someone who regularly attends the career fair may already have connections with external representatives in their field.

Starting early can leave a lasting impression. It also helps build a network of acquaintances that might lead to internships well before graduation. Michelle Kuhlhorst, executive director of the Career Development Center, said it’s very important for those students looking for a summer 2026 internship to show up during the fall event.

Because a resume and professional attire are required, those are other reasons to engage early with the center’s team. They can guide students to develop a resume, and invite them to explore the Mastodon Career Closet, which offers free business clothing. Students are allowed to acquire one outfit per semester, which can lead to a significant wardrobe by graduation.

The closet is conveniently located at the bottom of the stairs from the Career Development Center, which recently moved to Walb Student Union, Room 121. Appointments to the closet are also available on Handshake, though there will be open houses on Friday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After its recent move, the closet now has three times the space for displays, a dressing room, and much better lighting. The larger location became a necessity after a first-time donation drop-off event during the spring semester. 
All the clothing and accessories in the closet are either donated or purchased using Day of Giving funds and a small budget from Student Government Association. It’s sort of like checking out a free thrift store.

“I get to see them try something on and gain more confidence,” said Melody Monday, career counselor and the closet’s coordinator. “It helps them make a great first impression.”