Students gain career skills by leading Business Horizons fair
Pamplin’s career fair offers opportunities for student organizers and job seekers.
For students at Virginia Tech, Business Horizons could be the career jump-start they need.
Business Horizons has been connecting students with employers in search of the next generation of business leaders for over 40 years. The biannual career fair is hosted by the Pamplin College of Business’ Career Services team and is one of the largest career fairs at Virginia Tech. Among corporate recruiters, it has been recognized as one of the best career fairs in the country.
During this year’s Fall Business Horizons two-day event:
- 127 companies attended
- More than 3,000 students participated
- Approximately 300 individual interviews conducted following the event, with many more conducted on site
Behind the scenes is the Business Horizons Student Team composed of 19 students who assist in the organization and execution of Business Horizons and supporting events.
Marin Gavin, a senior studying marketing with a concentration in professional sales, is one of those students, serving as the corporate correspondence committee chair.
“I’ve been part of Business Horizons ever since my first year, making this my sixth fair,” said Gavin. “I became the corporate correspondence committee chair after my first semester on the team and we do everything that is employer facing. We want employers here who want Virginia Tech students, and that's ultimately who ends up coming here.”
In addition to the corporate correspondence committee, which is charged with providing employer support from initial contact and in-person at the event, there are three other committees. The hospitality committee assists with the coordination of the lunch for employees, manages the shuttles, and organizes student volunteers. The treasurer committee is in charge of the event’s finances and works with the Pamplin Career Services Office to help manage a budget of over $100,000. The marketing committee is in charge of engaging students through promotion and social media to attend the fair, averaging 10,000 views per video this fall.
“Business Horizons is a signature event for the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech,” said Jennifer Tortora, the college's director of career services. “It brings employers, students, and the university together in a way that strengthens relationships and highlights the caliber of Pamplin talent. The student team is essential to the fair's success, and through that work they gain real-world experience that translates directly to the workplace. This includes managing complex projects, working effectively as a team, and solving problems under pressure. Along the way, they strengthen communication skills and build confidence, giving them a competitive edge as they prepare for their own careers.”
Gavin said the event helped jump-start her career.
“I'm someone who has strongly, strongly benefited from Business Horizons,” she said. “After my sophomore year and junior years, I interned with two different companies and both of those relationships were fostered through Business Horizons. Honestly, I believe that my full-time role will come from the fair.”
