UMD CS Career Fair Sparks Career Opportunities for Students

Career fairs are vital links between students and employers, providing opportunities for job seekers to explore potential career paths, gain industry insights, and connect directly with hiring representatives. At the University of Maryland, the Department of Computer Science reinforced this connection by organizing its Spring Career and Internship Fair on February 24 at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. 

The event drew nearly 900 students eager to network, explore job opportunities, and connect with industry professionals. With 118 representatives from 30 companies spanning various industries, the fair fostered a dynamic setting for students to engage with potential employers and build meaningful professional relationships.

Beyond submitting resumes, students took advantage of the fair to interact directly with recruiters and hiring managers, gaining firsthand insights into the hiring process. Many saw these face-to-face conversations as a way to stand out in a competitive job market and make lasting professional connections.

“Everyone can apply to jobs online, but you don’t get that human connection,” said Wren Poremea, a senior computer science major. “Going to the career fair is a valuable time to talk to recruiters and the people who will decide whether you will get a job. Last year, I got my internship at Anovalon directly by talking to recruiters at the fair and handing over my resume the old-fashioned way.”

Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Hughes, Naval Air Systems Command, and Appian highlighted opportunities in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, attracting students eager to apply their skills in real-world settings. For these companies and others, the career fair provided a valuable opportunity to connect with a diverse pool of computer science talent, paving the way for internships, job offers, and future collaborations.

Acuity Inc. representative Peter Alcantara described some of the qualities his company looks for in candidates.

“We want to meet students who communicate clearly and confidently—people who are direct but also open to new opportunities,” Alcantara said. “Passion for technology is important, but so is adaptability and collaboration. At the end of the day, we’re looking for team players who are excited to learn, grow, and take on challenges that come with meeting client needs.”

The event highlighted skills developed outside the classroom for Felix Aparicio, a senior computer science major.

“The skills to look out for are just anything outside of school that you can learn,” Aparicio said. “Knowing programming languages is great, but if you can use GitHub well, work in command line or gain experience through personal projects, that makes you stand out.”

Aparicio has been working on a mobile application designed to function as a dashcam, which he said has helped him build technical skills. He noted that while he has not completed a formal internship, personal projects have allowed him to apply what he has learned in class.

As the fair wrapped up, students and employers left feeling accomplished and excited about the future. It was an opportunity for companies to connect with future technology professionals and attract fresh talent to their organizations.  

Recruiters stressed that preparation should start early, even for students not yet seeking full-time roles.  

“I like seeing freshmen and sophomores attend events like this, learn about companies, and start looking for internships as soon as possible,” Alcantara said. “Gaining real-world experience outside the classroom makes a huge difference when it’s time to enter the job market.”

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications