By Blake Jackson
Ambition met opportunity at the annual University of Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair on September 25, where more than 550 job seekers connected directly with employers from Kentucky’s key industries of agribusiness, equine, and distillation.
The event featured representatives from 77 companies and attracted students from 76 different majors across 12 UK colleges and 12 other universities, along with 31 alumni and non-student job seekers.
“It is increasingly our responsibility in higher education to introduce our students to the essential skill of networking. Seeing this happen in live form through this event is always a highlight of my career,” said Savannah Robin, event co-organizer and lecturer of career and professional development within the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and UK Ag Equine Programs.
“There is no better way to build this skill than by practicing it and doing that within the industry they plan to work in.”
UK’s equine career fair began in 2009, and in 2022, it merged with the distillation program. This year, an agribusiness focus was added, broadening opportunities for students.
“Seeing the students ‘work’ the fair to make the best first impressions and then follow this up with their impressive resumes and accomplishments is truly fantastic to witness,” said Ilka Balk, associate director of the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits.
“The students kept our employer representatives busy the entire time, and I am confident this fair is the beginning of many students’ future internships and full-time careers.”
Kennedy Burr, a marketing and agricultural economics senior, added, “The Signature Industries Career Fair was filled with employers that showed a genuine interest in the community and prospective applicants from UK… I left the fair feeling confident in myself and ready to tackle my future career path.”
The fair also drew alumni employers like Nick Eimers of Buffalo Trace Distillery and Joshua Southerling of Farm Credit Mid America, who emphasized the value of in-person engagement with students.
“I think the career fair is really a special moment for all of us to get together because there are so many alumni at this event. I'm glad that we're all wearing alumni stickers today. I was at this career fair as a student only two years ago and I was very intimidated to go and start talking to employers,” Zimmerman said.
The Signature Industries Career Fair continues to serve as a vital bridge between UK students and Kentucky’s top industries, fostering networking, professional growth, and career opportunities.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Education