On Feb. 15, over 500 students attended the fourth annual Klein College of Media and Communication Internship and Career Fair at the Howard Gittis Student Center. Some 75 media and communication employers were also in attendance, including: Comcast, USA Today/Gannett, QVC, Tierney, Brian Communications,iHeartMedia, Philadelphia Media Network and The Philadelphia Phillies. Almost every local radio, TV and newspaper outlet also participated.

“The students that attended the fair were well prepared and engaged,” said Michelle Macellaro, a talent acquisition recruiter for Comcast. “[They] also followed up post fair and are currently interviewing for our open positions.”

The preparation of students was no accident. The Klein College Office of Career Services approved every résumé that made its way through the fair.

“Employers say all sorts of wonderful things,” said Career Services Director Lu Ann Cahn. “Our students are better prepared and know what they want. We’ve seen a real improvement in the way students present themselves.”

For the first time ever, the first hour of the fair was reserved for seniors and students who completed the Verified by Klein program, in which students complete various tasks designed to prepare them for the job market. Both students and employers appreciated the preparation. Among the benefits for students who completed their verification was an exclusive, hour-long opportunity to network with employers at the fair.

Alumni also made a showing at the event. While some were there to learn more about the available career paths, the Klein College Alumni Board hosted a table, giving students the opportunity to practice interviewing.

Klein College alumni who work in the industry were also on hand to hire Klein College  students for their own workplaces.

After attending the fair, Carli Showmaker, KLN ‘19,  obtained an internship at the alumni-owned production company 20/20 Visual Media. She met with representatives of the company after being somewhat nervous to approach them. But, with the encouragement of a friend, she decided to show them her reel and impressed them.

“Getting comfortable and getting confident was really the key,” she said. “Because the the company is there to sell themselves to you and that’s important to remember.”

For many, seeing alumni doing well at the event was a source of excitement and reassurance.

“It’s really cool seeing some of the employers have alumni ribbons,” said Bri Hofsass, KLN ‘19. “It just shows that Temple people really are everywhere.”