Brice Hamilton had a job in Frankenmuth that most college students would envy. But he wasn’t interested in making it a career.
The accounting major was tending bar poolside, serving food and settling tabs. Yet, Hamilton had his sights set on a different kind of bottom line.
The Flushing resident knew finding it would require making the right connections. So, he registered for the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management’s Career Fair.
His decision paid off.
Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors hired Hamilton as a temporary tax assistant in Flint. That role culminated in May with a two-day Summer Leadership Program. This program allowed Hamilton to meet the CEO, network with employees and participate in team-building exercises. Additionally, Plante Moran offered him an internship for summer 2027, which he accepted.
“One of the event’s biggest benefits is networking directly with employers,” said Hamilton, now a senior. “Students get to learn about different opportunities that they may not have considered otherwise.”
When and where is the Career Fair?
The career fair will take place from 1-4 p.m., Oct. 27, at the School of Management, located inside the Riverfront Center. Parking is available across Saginaw Street at the University Pavilion.
The event is free and open to students and alumni of all majors.
Earlier in the month, the university’s College of Innovation & Technology will host its own career fair on Oct. 7. That event is limited to CIT students and alumni.
What are the benefits of attending the School of Management’s Career Fair?
Attendees at the SOM Career Fair will gain access to:
Career fairs are worth the effort of attending, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Its latest survey of 258 colleges and universities found that:
- More than half of college students attended career fairs.
- More than one-third of attendees participated in interviews after career fairs.
- About one in five career fair attendees received a job or internship offer.
Access to employers
The SOM event will provide access to more than two dozen employers offering full- and part-time jobs as well as internships. These employers represent more than a dozen industries. At the time of publication, the list of employers included:
| Employer | Industry |
|---|---|
| Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC | Accounting |
| Lewis & Knopf, P.C. | Accounting |
| Mattina, Kent & Gibbons, P.C. | Accounting |
| Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors | Accounting |
| Flint & Genesee Group | Business associations |
| Goyette Mechanical | Construction |
| Niles Industrial Coatings | Construction |
| RAFTRx Roofing and Exteriors | Construction |
| Dort Financial Credit Union | Financial services |
| Hantz Group | Financial services |
| New York Life – Michigan | Financial services |
| PNC | Financial services |
| Priority 1 Lending – Troy | Financial services |
| Sovita Credit Union | Financial services |
| United Wholesale Mortgage | Financial services |
| Genesee County | Government administration |
| Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity | Government administration |
| State Budget Office of Michigan | Government administration |
| Michigan Department of Treasury | Government administration |
| Kelly Services | Human resources |
| Pinnacle Life Group | Insurance |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation – Detroit Office | Law enforcement |
| Michigan Department of Corrections – Alger Correctional Facility | Law enforcement |
| Vantage Plastics | Manufacturing |
| Meijer | Retail |
| Sherwin Williams | Retail |
| Traverse City Pit Spitters | Spectator sports |
| Avis Budget Group | Travel |
| Dayton Freight | Truck transportation |
| Fastenal | Wholesale |
SOM’s staff expects more employers to register as the event date draws nearer.
Free professional portraits
Attendees can obtain free professional headshots at the career fair that will be suitable for use on employment websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Handshake.
Guidance from the Office of Graduate Programs
Attendees will also be able to speak with Danton Porto, marketing coordinator, from the Office of Graduate Programs. Porto can answer questions about UM-Flint’s:
- Twenty-three joint bachelor’s plus graduate degree programs.
- Twenty-seven graduate degree programs.
- Fifteen dual graduate degree programs.
- Fourteen graduate certificate programs.
- Eleven doctoral programs.
Business students will also earn 10 Career Development Requirements points for attending.
How can people prepare for the Career Fair?
Job seekers should prepare for the career fair by attending workshops, acquiring business attire (if needed) and bringing printed resumes.
Attending workshops
The university will host eight events to help people prepare for the career fair. These events include:
| Date & Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Prepare for Career Fair Success |
| Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Resume Remix |
| Sept. 30, 3-4 p.m. | Pop-up Resume Reviews |
| Oct. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Maximizing Your Professional Presence |
| Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | JCPenney Suit Up |
| Oct. 13, 2-3 p.m. | Level up Your LinkedIn Profile |
| Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Career Readiness Day |
| Oct. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Perfecting Your 30-Second Pitch |
Acquiring business attire
Job seekers can improve their odds of success by wearing formal business attire, according to UM-Flint’s Career Services. Those who need such clothes have two affordable options available through the university.
First, Career Services is hosting a JCPenney Suit-Up event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 10 at the retailer’s Genesee Valley Center location, 3535 South Linden Road.
Additionally, UM-Flint offers free, gently used business attire at Wolverine Essentials, 390 Harding Mott University Center. This confidential service is available Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4 p.m.
Bringing printed résumés
Job seekers should bring 10 or more printed résumés to the event. Free printing will be available at SOM.
How should people register for the Career Fair?
Students can register for the career fair on Handshake. Alumni need only check in at the event’s registration table.
Contact Dionne Minner, career development manager, at dminner@umich.edu or 810-762-3366 for further information.
