More than 100 Employers Connect with Students at Career Fair
Stockton students Jensen Gould, left, and Jaylen Knight, right, talk with a recruiter at the Spring Career and Internship Fair in the Sports Center on March 3.
Galloway, N.J. — The Stockton University Spring Career and Internship Fair filled the Sports Center on March 3 as students prepared to take the next step toward internships and full-time employment.
The fair began at 10 a.m., following a week of preparation opportunities offered by Career Education and Development. More than 130 students attended the university’s “Resume Rush” session on Feb. 25. Students also utilized the new Suit Closet to ensure they were professionally dressed for first impressions.
Stockton graduates Matthew Moore, left, and Matthew Bechtler, from New York Life greeted students at the Career and Internship Fair. Moore, who graduated last year, said the fair was his first day on the job.
The spring fair typically attracts higher attendance because it is closer to graduation. This semester, 106 employers participated, and organizers anticipated between 800 and 1,000 student attendees. Employers represented a wide range of industries, offering internships, entry-level roles and networking connections.
Angelo Rifici ’19, a branch manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car who graduated from Stockton with a degree in Marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to campus to connect with students.
Reflecting on entering the workforce during a period of uncertainty, Rifici explained that he intentionally sought out industries that remained stable.
“I looked where jobs weren’t being affected, and that led me to Enterprise,” he said. Now established in his career, he values mentoring students. “I enjoy connecting with students who have similar experiences to me,” he said. "
Another recent graduate, Matthew Moore ‘25, a financial professional with New York Life, experienced the fair from the employer side for the first time. Moore graduated last fall and said the fair was his first day on the job. Just a year earlier, he had attended the same event as a student. A conversation at that table led to interviews and ultimately his current position.
Moore emphasized that career fairs are less about simply distributing resumes and more about starting relationships. Networking, he said, can directly influence job outcomes and give students a clearer understanding of employer expectations.
Career Education and Development staff highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the experience each year.
“We try to be innovative each year, including new employers and resources like the decompression zone. The name tags help save time and check in students smoothly,” said Dayna DeFiore and Netesha Peterson, assistant directors of Career Education and Development and career coaches.
With employer participation remaining strong and alumni returning to support current students, the Career and Internship Fair continues to serve as a central opportunity for professional development and direct access to recruiters.
— Story by Ella Johnson, photos by Susan Allen and Abbigail Erbacher
