Miami University's Spring Internship & Career Expo

By Scott Sutton

Miami University journalism student

Miami University hosts two career networking events a year for students, the Career Fair and the Spring Internship and Career Expo or ICE. The Career Fair happens in the fall while Spring ICE takes place early spring semester.

The 2017 Spring ICE was recently held in Millett Hall and included 224 potential employers. An estimated 2,500 students attended the expo, with officials saying that's the highest attendance rate ever.

Sandy Burger is one of the main organizers of both Career Fair and Spring ICE. Burger says the planning is a lot of work, but it's worth it to be able to help students work toward their career goals.

"My favorite part of the fair planning process is developing the listing of interested organizations and knowing how fortunate Miami University is to attract such wonderful organizations who are interested in the students our university is preparing for these employers," Burger says.

Long Lines Worth The Wait

During Spring ICE, employers have tables stationed throughout Millett where students are free walk up and give them their "elevator pitch." It's an opportunity for the student to explain to the employer why they would be a good hire, learn more about the company, and eventually give the company representative their resume in hopes of landing an interview.

However, the wait to actually be face-to-face with an employer can be quite long.

"Don’t even get me started on the lines," Miami senior Brandon Maximovich says. "It takes me twenty minutes to talk to someone because I am waiting so long. The fact that I have to wait that long while I’m prioritizing my time in between classes is very frustrating."

Maximovich has never missed a Spring ICE while at Miami. Even with the long lines, he says the networking is great practice and really gets your feet wet. Maximovich also says meeting with recruiters is a great way to learn things about a company you might not get from a website.

From Student To Recruiter

One of the organizations that Maximovich has visited each year has been a company called E&J Gallo Winery. Part of the reason for that is a personal connection. His friend Russell Lamkin has consistently been the spokesperson for the company at Spring ICE and is now their District Sales Manager.

Lamkin is also a Miami University graduate and not only attended every single Spring ICE as a student, he also worked for Career Services helping set up the events as well.

"Spring ICE has definitely gotten a lot bigger since I was a freshman," Lamkin says. "Many more companies are realizing the great talent that Miami has to offer. I have also seen the number of internships and companies hiring underclassman rise. It used to be that career fairs were only for seniors getting ready to graduate, but that has shifted greatly the last few years.”

Lamkin actually stopped by the E&J Gallo Winery booth during a Spring ICE. An information session and three interviews later he was hired just three months after graduation.

Lamkin says says he remembers being nervous about walking up to potential employers and giving them his "elevator pitch." But as an employer for E&J, he says he's much more relaxed. He says it's a very different dynamic meeting hundreds of potential hires than simply speaking with 5-10 potential employers.

During Spring ICE students move from table to table, speaking with companies in the hope of finding a summer internship or a job after graduation. -- Photo by Scott Sutton.