Fair attracts students, companies

Students milling around chairs and fold-up tables on Thursday, traded resumes for information on prospective employers. The consensus, among the event staff, for the first Internship Faire at Cal State Long Beach, was a resounding vote of success.

"I've been to other [internship fairs] and for [CSULB's] first year the turn out is very good," Elizabeth Lindholm, director of recruiting for the Northwestern Mutual Life, said. "The flow [of students] has been very consistent."

Students should remember to check the status of their internship application, according to Audrey Cox, human resources specialist for Arinc. "Typically if a position is not open right away the students' application will be shelved," Cox said. "It really helps [the student] to call and periodically check for new openings."

Many internships require minimal skills and no GPA minimum. "Interns are trained on the job," said Laura Francisco, customer service representative for Expeditors, an international database company.

Other companies, such as Northwestern Mutual Life, which according to the Princeton Review was voted among the top internships in America, are looking for a specific personality type.

"A sales-oriented, self-motivated, relationship-building personality will thrive in [Northwestern Mutual]," Lindholm said.

The fair was not exclusive to CSULB students. Other participants included students from Scripps, UC Riverside, Cal Poly Pomona and other schools, according to Betty Schmicker-Black, CSULB career development coordinator of cooperative education.

Also, participating companies paid $150 to join the fair, with all profits going to the California Cooperative Education Association. Of the 53 companies that were scheduled to participate in this year's event, 49 were on hand.