UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host its annual Ag Sciences Career Day Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the event, current students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of career and academic fields to discuss internships, further education and full-time careers.
From first-year students to those nearing graduation, all Penn State students are encouraged to participate, regardless of college or major.
In the fall of 2022, College of Agricultural Sciences student Laura Taraboletti attended Ag Sciences Career Day but said she was unsure what to expect. Now a fourth-year student studying food science, Taraboletti said she opted to proceed with an exploratory approach last year.
Taraboletti spoke with representatives from McCormick and Company, including Jacob Ginn, a quality manager and recent alumnus of Penn State’s food science program. After their conversation, Ginn encouraged her to apply for the company’s summer internship program. She interviewed for the position within days and ultimately landed the position. Ginn mentored Taraboletti throughout the internship, during which she gained experience in both quality assurance and product development.
“Any students who are still on the fence regarding whether they plan to attend the Ag Sciences Career Day should just go and see what happens,” Taraboletti said. “I think that people underestimate the impact of having face-to-face conversations and making connections with professionals who are in their field of interest. Instead of submitting a job application to an online portal and hoping for the best, students can network with people who are experts in their fields.”
For Ginn, meeting Taraboletti at the career fair felt like his own story was coming full circle. While at Penn State, Ginn also attended the Ag Sciences Career Day, which led to an internship with McCormick that led to a full-time position in 2020.
“As a student, the Ag Sciences Career Day gave me the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of companies while also practicing my pitch to employers and honing my interviewing skills,” Ginn said. “As a recruiter, it has been an invaluable experience that has helped me understand what to look for in a candidate for my organization. The role reversal has given me a new appreciation for the caliber of students at Penn State.”
Following the 2022 event, students and exhibitors alike indicated through feedback surveys that they found value in the event. A vast majority of students reported that they discovered career paths of which they previously were unaware. Exhibitors expressed satisfaction related to their intent to interview candidates they met at the fair.
“Our goal is always for this event to mutually benefit our industry partners and our students," said Tracy Hoover, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "We look forward to hosting a wide array of organizations, eager to share their diverse career opportunities. The enthusiasm is palpable in the Bryce Jordan Center as we introduce employers and alumni to the next generation of leaders. Our talented students are ready to contribute, and we want to offer them this springboard to do so.”
The list of participating exhibitors is now available and is updated frequently.
“I cannot speak highly enough about the College of Agricultural Sciences,” Taraboletti said. “You can tell how much they value their students by the time and consideration they take for each student’s career trajectory. The career fair is one of the ways they excel at this.”
For more information, visit the Ag Sciences Career Day website or contact the College of Agricultural Sciences Office for Undergraduate Education by email at agcareerday@psu.edu.