[354] MTSU students talk business, their futures at 2018 BEST Career Fair

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — MTSU business administration majors Aaronand Alex Brownmay have “doubled” their chances of landing an internship at this year's Business Exchange for Student Talent, or BEST, Career Fairin the Student Union Ballroom. 

"When people see twins doing the same thing, oftentimes they remember it," Alex Brown said as the brothers looked over prospective internships with each other.

Meet the Browns, both juniors eager to tackle an internship while at MTSU. 

"I'm looking to get my foot in the door," said Aaron Brown, whose hometown is Hendersonville, Tennessee. "I don't really know what all I can do with business administration, so I came to see what I can do internship-wise." 

Several students joined the Browns Wednesday, March 21, on a search for the internship or job opportunity best suited for them to enhance their skills and burnish their resumes.

The three-hour meet-and-greet event, sponsored by the Department of Managementand Department of Marketingin MTSU’s Jones College of Business, urged students majoring in business administration, management, entrepreneurship, and marketing to “sell”themselves to over 50 companies ranging from Hershey to Sherwin-Williams to Regions Bank.

This year’s format returned to a more traditional career fair set-up from the “speed networking” structure in previous years, according to Laura Buckner, an instructor and internship coordinator in the Department of Marketing.

Something newly added to this year's itinerary included quiet areas for on-the-spot interviews with those among the 100-plus student attendees who made an outstanding impression on employers. 

Participating companies were also on the hunt for business-savvy students interested in finding an entry-level job in marketing, management, sales and more.

MTSU 2016 graduate Malory Valdez is currently a sales agent for Aetna insurance’s HealthSpireMedicare program and attended the BEST fair looking to fill positions with her fellow alumni. 

Although she did not attend this specific fair while she was in school, she credits MTSU career fairs for assisting her in narrowing down possible job opportunities. 

"It was a good experience when I went to the career fair ... it's really useful because a lot of times you just don't know what's out there," she said.

Valdez also noted how a face-to-face connection allows her and other employers to see more than a name on a piece of paper with qualifications.

"They'll remember you for your face and talk about not just your qualifications on paper but in person," she added.

As for the Brown brothers, they took an interest in Alder Home Securityand are waiting to hear abouttheir future there but are prepared if their career paths take them to separate destinations.

"We don't have to work together ... we just work better together," Aaron Brown said.

For more information about other career fairs and job placement services, visit the MTSU Career Development Center website at www.mtsu.edu/career.