Employers from all over the United States traveled to Franciscan University for the Mission and Ministry Career Fair to meet and hire students. 

The career fair took place from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 25 in St. Paul VI Events Center. It was sponsored by the Franciscan University Office for Personal Vocation, the Missionary Outreach Office and Career Services. 

The Events Center was tightly packed with tables manned by employers. Throughout the afternoon, hundreds of students wove through the fair, shaking hands, introducing themselves and discovering what each organization had to offer. 

A quick glance at the list of employers revealed organizations from diverse places across the United States. Some employers, like Aim Women’s Center, were located as close as Steubenville. Others traveled from farther distances to recruit Franciscan students, such as the St. Ann Missionary Institute, which hails from Coppell, Texas. On an international level, the St. Thomas Mission was visiting from Erbil, Iraq. 

Although the career fair was geared towards Theology, Catechetics and Ministry majors, many employers advertised that they were searching for students of all majors. Opportunities abounded in fields from Business to Psychology, Political Science to Social Work. 

Several dioceses were at the career fair seeking Franciscan students. For example, the diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania was hoping to find potential regional directors with a heart to serve small parishes. A representative from the diocese explained that because many small parishes are in danger of closing, the diocese is searching for compassionate and service-oriented professionals to handle these situations, a description that fits many Franciscan students.

Other organizations were hiring summer workers. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Camp, an outdoors-oriented retreat center in Volant, PA was looking for camp counselors. It was just one example of the many Catholic adventure camps at the career fair who were seeking Franciscan students. 

From summer camps to dioceses to Catholic media, the event center crowded with employers made it clear that ministry-oriented Franciscan students are in demand.