CareerFEST Kicks off the Year, Connecting Students with Local Employers

DeSales University's Career Development Center welcomed more than fifteen local employers to campus on Wednesday, September 2, for the 17th annual CareerFEST. The event kicks off the academic year and is designed to get students thinking early about their professional futures.

Held outdoors on Dooling Lawn, the event drew students from all majors and class years. Local employers spanning industries from healthcare to marketing to law enforcement displayed information tables across the lawn, including ADP, Altitude Marketing, ArtsQuest, Copperhead Grille, Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, Enterprise Mobility, Jefferson Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lehigh County, Lutron Electronics, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, PA Shakespeare Festival, Sodexo, St. Luke's University Health Network, and WDIY 88.1 FM Lehigh Valley Public Radio.

"Events like CareerFEST provide a valuable opportunity for employers and students to connect in a fun, engaging environment," said Rachel Jerant, Talent Programs Manager at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “As an employer, I love experiencing the energy and excitement that students bring as they return to campus, and I appreciate the opportunity DeSales provides to showcase our organization while supporting students as they explore their career journeys."

Unlike a traditional career fair, CareerFEST leaned into a festival atmosphere, with free T-shirts courtesy of St. Luke's University Health Network, live music and entertainment, games, raffle prizes, and an ice cream truck sponsored by ADP and Lehigh County. Kearney & Co. and Enterprise Mobility sponsored this year's Career Planning Guide, a resource packed with tips and advice on interviewing, job searching, cover letters and resumes, and experiential learning opportunities.

For Bridget Hays ’27, double majoring in Political Science and Spanish and one of the Career Development Center's student ambassadors, the event is about more than networking, it's about helping classmates take a first step.

"CareerFEST is a great way for students of all ages to start thinking about what their lives will look like post-grad," Hays said. "As a career ambassador, I enjoyed seeing students at the fest step out of their comfort zones to speak with employers and discuss the many opportunities available to them including ones that may even be outside of their major."

This popular event is just one piece of the Career Development Center's year-round work. The office's staff members provide one-on-one career coaching to students of every class year, as well as alumni and graduate students. Student career ambassadors are trained to give resume feedback to undergraduate students based on current employer trends and take on leadership roles organizing events, assisting with mock interviews, and coaching peers on professionalism.

“I have relied on the Career Center’s resources since my first year at DeSales, especially for resume reviews and interview preparation,” said Sophia Amoretti ’28, a Homeland Security major. “The staff provided invaluable support as I prepared for my internship interview this past summer, helping me feel confident and ready. I truly believe their guidance played a key role in helping me secure my position as a Maryland State Police intern.”

Throughout the year, the center connects students to internships, arranges site visits with area organizations, and hosts more than 100 employers on campus helping students build the professional network CareerFEST kicks off each fall.