AMES, Iowa — So many employers have signed up for Iowa State University's Ag Career Day Oct. 21 that some will have to be located outside under tents. Mike Gaul, director of agriculture and life sciences career services, said 165 employers are scheduled to recruit students at the annual job fair. Last year there were 149 employers at the event, down from 155 the year before because of renovations at the Memorial Union location. He said job growth from a growing agriculture sector and demand created by retiring baby boomers are behind the increased employer interest. "It's been business as usual. We haven't seen any major repercussions from the problems in the financial sector," Gaul added. About 98 percent of recent graduates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were employed or pursuing advanced degrees, according to the most recent survey of graduates from fall semester 2006 through summer 2007. Nearly 71 percent of the college's graduates stayed in Iowa for their first jobs. Ag Career Day is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Great Hall, Campanile Room and outside the north entrance of the Memorial Union. The event is the unofficial kick-off for the fall recruitment season on campus. Gaul said there are nearly 50 interview schedules set for the following day. A list of employers set to attend Ag Career Day is online.
Record Number of Employers to Recruit at Ag Career Day
October 3, 2008