Ask an Employer, an annual Merrimack College event, is an informal networking opportunity where students are able to meet and network with some of the region’s top engineering companies, learning more about open internship and co-op positions. This year, ten companies attended the event in early October, including VHB, AECOM, Eversource, Pare Corporation, Weston & Sampson, GZA GeoEnvironmental, HDR, Schneider Electric, Straumann and Hoyle & Tanner, Associates in the Casey Family Engineering Innovation Center.
Over 60 students attended, connecting with companies and asking questions about available opportunities to enhance their engineering skills and knowledge. Leslie Lima ’21, civil engineering student, says, “This is probably one of my favorite events because it is in Mendel [Hall] and we [engineering students] are always in Mendel [and the Casey Family Engineering Innovation Center]. So it’s really convenient, I walked out [of class] and here it is and I’m already in this building.” Leslie goes on to explain how Ask an Employer is a more casual way to meet employers and it isn’t as nerve wracking as events like the annual Fall Internship & Job Fair or spring recruiting events. “Even though it’s more casual, it’s still a great way in with employers.”
Donna Thibodeau. Schneider Electric
Although more relaxed than other recruiting events offered, Merrimack’s engineering students still stood out among other schools due to their preparation and attentiveness. “I found that a lot of them were prepared. They had come with their resume, they had already looked up the company and what we do and many of them were very-well prepared. They were articulate and knew what they wanted to know,” says Donna Thibodeau, Pre-Construction National Leader for Schneider Electric. Pre-Construction Tender, Rodney Allain, of Schneider Electric also comments on the overall vibe of the event. “[The students were] very inquisitive and thought about what questions they wanted to ask beforehand. They are going to make great professionals.”
As the event concluded, Brian Colleoni-Pimenta ’21, civil engineering student, wanted to be sure other engineering students were thinking about career development throughout their time at Merrimack, “[Students should] definitely come to this next year because it’s informal. It’s much less intimidating, especially for those who are nervous about not looking the part. The event is great for anyone and everyone.”
The O’Brien Center for Career Development will be hosting its next Ask an Employer event on February 13, 2020, focusing on the life sciences industry. If you are interested in recruiting Merrimack life science students or attending the event as an alumni or employer, reach out to the O’Brien Center at employers@merrimack.edu or (978) 837 – 5480.
