Bethel Alumnus Comes Full Circle at Career Fair

Andrew Cary ’15, at right, represented Habitat for Humanity at the 2016 Career and Internship Fair.

Last year, Andrew Cary ’15 connected with Habitat for Humanity through the annual Bethel College Career and Internship Fair. This year, he stood on the other side of the table as an employer.

“In 12 months I’ve come full circle,” he says.

Cary, who graduated in December, was hired as an intern for Habitat for Humanity when he visited their table during last year’s fair. After spending a short amount of time in that position, his boss was so impressed with his work that he offered him a full-time position as homeownership liaison and development assistant – and a raise.

Cary says his communication major at Bethel played a significant role in his success.

“It taught me marketing skills, design skills and people skills that I use every day,” says Cary. “It helped me turn my passions into a career.” This year at the fair, Cary was helping Habitat for Humanity hire on new interns.

“We’re a Christian organization so we see shared values. We’ve also had good experiences with Bethel students,” he says.

The Career and Internship Fair has grown significantly over the past few years, nearly doubling in size. This year, 104 employers stood behind their company’s booths in the Gates Gymnasium in the Wiekamp Athletic Center, eagerly waiting to meet with Bethel students looking for jobs. Director of the Office of Career Services Matthew Stackowicz was enthusiastic about the event’s growth.

“I attribute it to our outreach in the community,” says Stackowicz. “Our office attends a lot of outreach events. We’ve built a great database of employers who we know and who know us.” In addition to the growth, Stackowicz was also pleased with the caliber of the companies that could attend the fair.

“The employers … have such a range. They aren’t all looking for one major.”

This proved to be true, as among the many representatives in attendance were educators, nurses, police officers, entrepreneurs, financial planners, ministries and various community service organizations.

Of the companies represented, more than 30 featured Bethel alumni, watching students search for jobs like they had done a few years before. One of those alumni employers was Everence Financial Representative Casey Weaver ’14. Weaver, who has spent two years with Everence, was looking forward to helping students in their job seeking process.

“I remember what it felt like to need and want an opportunity at a good organization,” says Weaver. “I want to help people who are like [I was].”

Alumna Talisha Barham ‘12 of Beacon Health System had similar things to say about the kinds of workers that Bethel produces.

“Bethel has a good reputation, especially in the nursing program,” says Barham.

While the employers and students were enthusiastic about the opportunities the fair presented, Stackowicz had even larger aspirations for the day.

“I want them [employers] to get to meet our students and learn about their passions and desires. There’s so much potential for this community to achieve and I believe it starts with this younger generation.”

For more information about the companies present at the fair, visit BethelCollege.edu/career/fair2016.