Ferris State University will launch its first Ferris Career Success Conference and Expo Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, with plans to coordinate the events bi-annually to connect students with rewarding careers.

The career conference brings approximately 400 recruiters from 180 organizations across the country to the Big Rapids campus to recruit students and alumni for internships and full-time employment.

More than a traditional career fair, the three-day event offers an expanded, university-wide career experience for students, alumni, faculty, staff, employees and employers—combining networking, professional development, current workforce topics, employer connections and career resources.

The conference kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a Launch Party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first floor of the David L. Eisler Center.

The free, welcoming reception will feature food, activities, entertainment, giveaways, and casual networking. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and employers are invited to connect before the expo in a relaxed setting.

For students and alumni, it is a chance to meet employers, start career conversations, and build connections before the formal expo begins.

“Whether someone is just beginning to think about a career, looking for an internship or job, preparing for their next career move, or supporting students along the way, there is a place for them in this experience,” said Angela Roman, director of Ferris State’s Career and Professional Success.

Dr. Michele Albright, Employer Relations Liaison and Career Readiness specialist, said the conference reflects how Ferris State is expanding its approach to career development.

Throughout the conference, participants can take advantage of expertise from across Ferris State and throughout the country to explore current workforce topics, trends and opportunities.

Programming includes a Technology Expo, All Majors Expo, employer information sessions, career readiness sessions, graduate school exploration and programming focused on artificial intelligence and recruiting.

The conference concludes Oct. 2 with a Career Tech Panel: AI to Get Hired, and a Future of Work keynote featuring Dr. Tarita Johnson, senior vice president, Talent and Diversity at The Right Place.

Sessions are designed for a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and employers. Faculty and instructors will also have the opportunity to learn more about using 12twenty in the classroom and ways career resources can support student learning.

A new conference event app will further enhance the experience by helping attendees navigate the schedule, discover sessions and opportunities, and stay connected throughout the event.

The conference also marks the introduction of the new Ferris Career Success Hub, powered by 12twenty.

The career hub gives students and alumni a centralized place to access career resources, explore internships and employment opportunities, connect with employers and prepare for their next steps—extending career support beyond the conference and throughout the year.

The conference is the result of a university-wide planning committee and volunteers representing each Ferris college, most university offices, faculty, staff and students.

Together, they are helping bring the expertise, resources and connections of Ferris and its employer and community partners to one shared experience.

“Ferris has tremendous expertise within our colleges, departments and offices, along with an incredible network of employers and alumni,” Albright said. “This conference allows us to bring those connections together and make them accessible to our entire university community.”

_{Release and photo credit to Ferris State University.}