The annual Engineering Expo, hosted by Virginia Tech’s Student Engineers' Council (SEC) will take place on the University campus on Sept. 16 and 17. The record-setting 274 firms and government agencies will be on hand to recruit potential employees from the engineering student body. Another 95 companies remain on the waiting list due to a lack of space.
The SEC, a self-funded student organization, expects more than 5,000 students will be in attendance to exchange information with company representatives.
The chairperson of the Expo committee, Courtney Tate, a chemical engineering student, has done an outstanding job in organizing this year's exposition, said Lynn Nystrom, faculty adviser to the SEC. "Courtney has devoted a substantial part of his summer, preparing for this event, and ensuring we have a record-setting attendance by companies interested in employing our students."
The exposition opens to the engineering student body on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Expo continues on Wednesday, Sept. 17, also from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students are invited to walk through the exhibits, many of which include videos, products, promotional items, demonstrations and other items which detail what the companies do. The location for this year’s Expo is Squires Student Center.
Of the 274 companies, 79 elected to also become sponsors of the SEC. Sponsorship is offered at three levels: silver for $400, gold for $750, and platinum for $2000. Benefits vary from company publicity on all SEC events to a guaranteed booth at the Expo.
This corporate showcase is an extension of the SEC's mission: to promote the personal and professional development of student engineers at Virginia Tech by helping them to define career goals, pursue career opportunities, and develop leadership skills.