Iowa State Agriculture Career Fair Reflects Demand for Graduates

AMES, Iowa — This year's agricultural career fair at Iowa State University Oct. 18 is on track to duplicate last year's busy event. More than 1,400 students took part in Ag Career Day last year, representing 75 ISU majors and 18 other schools, according to Mike Gaul, career services director for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. That's just the start of a series of on-campus interviews by employers, he added. "Last year the day after Ag Career Day was the busiest interview day in the history of the college with 55 schedules and 552 interviews," Gaul said. He expects nearly 170 employers to be represented at this year's career fair. The list of companies and organizations is being updated on the career services' website. Ag Career Day is open to all majors, the public and alumni. It will take place in the Lied Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gaul said the fair continues to be the largest of its kind in the nation because employers seek out Iowa State graduates. The latest survey of recent graduates with majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences found that 98.2 percent of them were employed, furthering their education or serving in the military.