A double-barreled expo that enabled students to not only learn about the variety and value of liberal arts degrees — but also meet with potential employers who recognize that value — turned out to be a hotspot.
Scores of students picked their way among the information tables in the atrium of Millett Hall on Oct. 26 for the Major and Career Exploration Expo organized by the Center for Liberal Arts Student Success.
“It’s a cool way for students to not only learn about liberal arts majors and the value of liberal arts, but also find out about the transferrable skills and employers that look for those students,” said Wayne Stark, the center’s director of workforce development.
The expo featured representatives from the College of Liberal Arts’ academic departments, from social work to history to modern languages. It also included business professionals from organizations such as Reynolds & Reynolds, ABC22-Dayton and the Miamisburg Police Department.
Karli Lightner, a corporate recruiter for Reynolds & Reynolds who graduated from Wright State with a degree in communication two years ago, was looking for students interested in internships, part-time jobs or — after graduation — full-time jobs.
“We have a lot of communication-related jobs at Reynolds & Reynolds depending on what you want to go into – sales, marketing, customer service,” said Lightner. “You’re always going to need those skills from liberal arts that maybe other colleges can’t offer.”
The event, sponsored by the Wright-Patt Credit Union, also featured informational workshops on liberal arts in the workforce and financial literacy.
The Center for Liberal Arts Student Success, located on the first floor of Millett Hall, is an innovative program that combines advising, faculty/student relationship-building, peer mentoring and career counseling.