With resum?s in hand, CSUN alumni in freshly pressed suits sought new opportunities at the Recent Grad and Alumni Fair.

The fair, which took place June 7, was split into two halls, with government and technology jobs represented in the Grand Salon and a variety of corporate jobs at the Northridge Center. More than 100 companies were present, ranging in variety from Anheuser-Busch to Zenith Insurance. Dozens of former students hopped from booth to booth receiving information from recruiters and picking up free pens and candy along the way.

“This is one of our smaller events because it’s specific to graduates and past graduates,” said Patricia Gaynor, assistant director of the career center’s senior year transition and employment programs.

Gaynor believes the current climate in the job market is beneficial to graduates, and the CSUN name carries a certain distinction that employers notice.

“Right now, there are a lot of opportunities for graduating students,” Gaynor said. “We have companies very loyal to our school, [and] they speak very highly of our students.”

Lamar Aguilar, H.R. generalist for Lockheed Federal Credit Union, said her ideal job candidate has an intangible quality she is able to recognize.

“If I see someone who has enthusiasm, that spark in their eye and the need to learn and grow with the company, I will bring them to talk with us, regardless of experience,” she said.

The Recent Grad and Alumni Fair takes place every year, but according to Nik? Alexander, a recent sociology graduate, there was a marked improvement in this year’s event.

“Last year I was here for an hour, and I went back to class,” Alexander said. “The same companies are here, but now they are more approachable.”

Although there was no shortage of companies to seek, Luke Jozwiak, a recent history graduate, felt the event would be more helpful to him if there was a more specific breakdown of which majors were being hired by certain companies.

The FBI and the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family services were the booths that drew the most attention. Curious alumni crowded their booths while others waited patiently in line to speak with recruiters.

The Recent Grad and Alumni Fair also made some realize the difficulty of finding a job.

Alexander completed her studies in December, but was still in search of a job. She said the hardest part was finding one that paid well enough for her to pay off her student loans.