More than 1,000 students connect with hundreds of employers at Co-op Career Fair

The University of Akron’s (UA) College of Engineering and Polymer Science (CEPS) hosted its fall 2025 Engineering, Engineering Technology and Computing Career Fair, drawing an impressive turnout from students, alumni and industry partners. The event welcomed 1,058 students and 222 companies represented by 539 recruiters, including 219 UA alumni, underscoring the college’s strong ties with employers and graduates across the region.

Preparing students for success

In the weeks leading up to the fair, the CEPS Co-op and Placement Program offered a series of career preparation workshops designed to help students refine their resumes, strengthen their interview skills and develop effective networking strategies. Students also participated in a resume review open house for personalized feedback on their application materials. These sessions provided valuable preparation and confidence for students as they met with employers at the fair.

This year’s event also featured the debut of the Co-op Professional Headshot Photo Booth, offering students, faculty and staff the opportunity to capture high-quality portraits for LinkedIn and other professional platforms. The photo booth proved to be a popular addition, helping participants enhance their professional image as they pursue co-op positions and full-time employment opportunities.

Career readiness and employer feedback

Employers praised both the quality of UA students and the organization of the fair. “Akron consistently has great students; the Co-op team is also top-notch,” said representatives from Independence Excavating, Inc.

A representative from Kenda Tire added, “We love the variety of engineering and science candidates available at a single career fair. From the helpful student volunteers to the thoughtful accommodations and amenities, it was a great experience working with the University.”

Alumni employers also highlighted the fair’s impact and the caliber of UA’s students. “Out of all the fairs I've attended around the state, Akron’s is the best,” said a recruiter from the City of Cuyahoga Falls. “The students are prepared and employers know they’ll meet qualified candidates.” Representatives from STERIS echoed this sentiment, noting, “As a UA alum, it’s rewarding to connect with current students and add them to our talent pool.”

Other employers emphasized the fair’s value in identifying strong candidates and building new connections. A recruiter from Diebold Nixdorf, Inc., said, “It was encouraging to see such a diverse pool of students across electrical, mechanical and computer engineering. The greatest benefit is the new relationships and exposure the fair creates.” CSA Group representatives added, “Compared to other institutions, we were impressed by how well-prepared Akron students were and how many had researched our company ahead of time. We found several promising candidates for our graduate development program.”

Building futures through co-op and experience

“Our program is built on strong partnerships with employers who are committed to developing the next generation of engineering, technology and computing talent,” said Dr. Selena Myers, director of the Co-op and Placement Program. “We take pride in preparing our students to contribute meaningfully from day one while helping employers build a sustainable talent pipeline that supports their long-term workforce needs.”

Students in the CEPS Co-op and Placement Program make an average of more than $47,000 through three co-op rotations before graduation, earning an average hourly wage of $22 while gaining real-world experience. The program continues to be a cornerstone of the college’s commitment to experiential learning and career readiness. At Akron, you can earn while you learn and your career starts before you even graduate.

Media contact: media@uakron.edu