The School of Business welcomed representatives from 32 businesses to campus on Sept. 10 for its annual Meet the Firms event. More than 130 business majors took advantage of the opportunity to network with professionals from virtually every corner of the business world, from banking to hospitality to manufacturing.
"I would say that it was a great experience, and it was very helpful," said Jacob Studdard, an accounting major. "It gave students the opportunity to get their foot in the door with firms that could possibly be their future employers."
Firms in attendance included Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, Wells Fargo, IBM, and Price Waterhouse Coopers. The School of Business thanks all of the attending firms, who made this year’s event one of the largest so far.
"I believe this was the best Meet the Firms held to date," said Annamarie Jones, CPA, Principal at Jackson Thornton and an AUM 40-at-40 alumna. "The students seemed more prepared, and it appeared there were more firms participating. We collected over 25 resumes."
Jones also said a colleague of hers was impressed with the event and remarked it was on par with similar events at larger universities. Studdard noted how the setting of the event made it easier to meet real professionals than it would be to try to meet with them one at a time.
"The atmosphere allowed students to meet with great firms without the stress and nerves of a one-on-one meeting," Studdard said.
Many of the attending firms had both internship and employment opportunities available for students, both immediately and down the road.
Reporting by Frank Miles