St. John’s Students, Employers, Mix at Spring Career Fair

Soon-to-be graduates, students looking to secure internships, and employers eager to recruit new talent mingled at St. John’s University on April 16 at University Career Services’ Spring Career Expo.

More than 70 companies filled Taffner Field House on the Queens, NY, campus, representing industries as diverse as accounting, civil service, cybersecurity, health care, and hospitality. The expo attracted a mix of for-profit and nonprofit organizations, drawn by past hiring successes and future possibilities.

“I am excited to be here,” said Kate Totino ’07M.B.A., Director of Human Resources at the accounting firm Condon, O’Meara, McGinty, & Donnelly and one of several alumni recruiters in attendance. “We have learned that St. John’s students are worker bees—they are engaged and they ask excellent questions.”

While some firms made their first visit to St. John’s, others, including the United States Tennis Association (USTA), returned, drawn to the expo by the emerging reputation of St. John’s Sport Management program. Recruiter Melanie Fernandez said the USTA is hiring for temporary and permanent positions for the US Open, its premier event held at the nearby USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“We also recruit at St. John’s because of its proximity to the US Open,” Ms. Fernandez said. “We value hiring from the local community and allowing students to be part of something big. It is an intense but unique experience.”

University Career Services sponsors a Career Expo each semester. Facing a competitive job market, undergraduate members of the class of 2026, who graduate May 17, were particularly interested in the recruiters’ advice. Kyla Teixeira, a business analytics student at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, is seeking a position in business operations, consulting, or management.

“We speak very transparently in my classes about the current job market,” Kyla, a senior from Pawtucket, RI, said. “I am a little nervous about what might or might not be out there, but I am still optimistic.”

Nonprofits, government agencies, and health-care providers were among the most represented sectors. Althea Hernandez, Talent Acquisition Recruiter for the NewYork-Presbyterian health-care system, was eager to meet candidates, particularly soon-to-be graduates of St. John’s initial cohort of nursing students.

“Nursing has become a popular profession, but it remains a challenging one,” Ms. Hernandez said. “What we have seen from St. John’s nursing students is an empathy, a compassion for patients, as they continue to learn their skills.”       

The soft-drink giant PepsiCo made its first visit to the St. John’s expo, inspired by the promise shown by students in a consulting project organized by the New York chapter of NextUp. This nonprofit that seeks to empower the next generation of female business leaders. St. John’s students worked with PepsiCo on ways to retain young talent.

“The students’ creativity and ability to think outside the box really stood out,” said Account Manager Durga D. Shah, M.B.A. ’08TCB. “We hope to continue to grow this partnership and are excited to see where it goes.”

Also new to the expo this spring was a designated sensory space, where students could find relief from the noise and crowds common to the event. Tucked in a corner of the field house, the space, designed by the sensory services nonprofit KultureCity, attracted students who were both curious and in need.

Wearing noise-canceling headphones, Autumn Hill, a senior speech-language pathology and audiology student, took a peek inside the inflatable structure and came away impressed by its tranquil environment. “A quiet space such as this enables you to recalibrate so you can be at your best when you are meeting with people,” Autumn said. “I can see how those who might be neurodivergent would find this unique and useful.”   

The sensory space included relaxation and mindfulness tools. Visitors could seal the front opening and withdraw from the noisy environment.

“The moment I came in, I felt my calmness grow,” senior criminal justice student Jodi Chen said. “You need to be relaxed when you are introducing yourself to potential employers.” 

Ellen Burti ’83SJC, ’87M.S.Ed., Assistant Vice President, University Career Services, said the addition of the sensory space is part of University Career Services’ effort to accommodate all students. “It provides greater accessibility,” Ms. Burti said. “The expo can be overwhelming for all students, but it can be especially prohibitive for those who are neurodiverse. KultureCity has helped us provide a space where students can find a respite from the noise and crowds within the expo.”

Alabama-based KultureCity was represented by Training Manager Sean Culkin, a person with autism. He said that according to company data, 25 percent of Americans have a sensory processing need.

“When a sensory-sensitive person walks into an environment such as this, their stress level increases,” Mr. Culkin said. “As a result, that individual is not focused and not at their best when meeting recruiters.”

“Career fairs are still the best way to get employers and employees together,” Mr. Culkin continued. “But this is about providing accommodations to ensure that people are their best selves when meeting those employers.”