Career Fair Creates Lasting Connections

College students rarely choose to stay indoors on a beautiful, sunny day. But in early October, Champlain College’s annual Fall Career Fair proved it was worth missing the sunshine. Over 60 local, regional, and national employers gathered in the Argosy Gymnasium, giving students the chance to explore career opportunities, talk to professionals in their fields, and open doors to new connections in the professional world. From part-time jobs and internships to volunteer positions and full-time roles, students explored the plethora of choices open to them.

Notable businesses included: NuHarbor Security, the Media Factory, WolfJaw Studios, ECHO Leahy Center, the Howard Center, Schell Games, Red Barn Media Group, and many others.

Connections with Local Businesses

Champlain College has fostered many unique relationships with businesses around Burlington, and many of these businesses often participate in the Career Fair. Over the summer, Arianna Belliveau, Digital Forensics ’26, interned for NuHarbor Security, a partner of Champlain College, and she tabled for the company at this year’s fair. Talking about her internship experience, she said, “We did a lot with AI, because that is the big thing right now. Specifically, we used it to figure out how to lighten different workflows for different positions within the company. The internship also really allowed us to dip our toes into every single department.”

“The company being connected to the school is really nice, because it definitely gives Champlain students a foot in the door when it comes to getting an internship, and honestly, even getting a job. They’re so interwoven together that you’re more likely to get there,” continued Belliveau.

Putting a Face to a Name

Champlain students stand out to employers, who value the creativity, ingenuity, and readiness they bring to the workplace. That’s why so many students find internships, jobs, and other opportunities through these events.

“I personally love the different perspectives and diversity that Champlain College has, because everybody is different, and those differences make us a great team,” said Raquel Velez, Human Resources administrator at ABC22 & FOX44. “We do have quite a few employees who came from Champlain College. I have noticed that as years have gone by, the students here advance with new technologies—they adapt very quickly, which is helpful for us.”

Annabel Kusnitz, Professional Writing (now Writing & Publishing) ’24, works for ABC22 & FOX44 as a digital content producer. “I actually met Raquel—who’s standing next to me at the career fair here—when I was a student. Every year she’d be here, and I’d come talk to her. We just created a rapport. When it was time for me to graduate—I was in the middle of my capstone, and I was applying to jobs—I reached out to my connections, Raquel included. We had built a relationship because I continued to go to the Career Fair and talked to her. I applied for a job, and now I’m here,” said Kusnitz.

Colin Deane, Game Programming ’23, works at Wolfjaw Studios as an associate software engineer. During his time at Champlain, he attended the Career Fair, which led to his current position at the game company.

“I was able to start a conversation with the lead recruiter at Wolfjaw, and then visit again at subsequent career fairs to say, ‘Hi, do you remember me?’ I think it really helps to just get to know the recruiters—because that connection helps much more than just a faceless resume, and it also helps to connect on LinkedIn, ask questions, and whatever else is needed,” he said. “A Champlain alum was one of the lead recruiters at Wolfjaw, so I think that’s how that relationship started. She knew what a lot of the students here were going through, and knew they were very prepared for anything that was thrown at them.”