Mines Students Discover Career Opportunities at Spring Career Fair

For students, the South Dakota Mines biannual career fair provides opportunities to create meaningful interactions with industry professionals and the chance to secure internships and full-time careers.

For employers, it gives direct access to the area's top STEM talent and skilled workforce.

Mines Career Services will host the spring career fair from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the King Center. More than 1,000 students across all majors are expected to network with over 150 leading companies in science and engineering, eager to recruit for internships and jobs.

“Our career fairs create meaningful connections between South Dakota Mines students and employers,” said Corinne Heiberger, associate vice president for student success. “Students gain confidence, build relationships, practice professional communication and connect classroom learning to real-world careers, while employers benefit from direct access to highly motivated, technically strong talent for internships, co-ops and full-time roles. It's an efficient, high-value opportunity to recruit talent that's ready to contribute from day one."

Clive Uy, senior mechanical engineering major, said the career fairs help set students apart from the flood of applications and resumes companies receive.

“For better or for worse, generative AI has largely taken over the recruitment process, from crafting job postings to writing cover letters to evaluating candidate portfolios,” said Uy, who has attended every career fair during his time at Mines, a total of seven. “As a result, I have found it increasingly difficult to stand out as an applicant. More than ever, career fairs are an avenue to express human interest, share one's passion and create an outstanding first impression.”

Kaylee Updegraff, senior electrical engineering major, has landed multiple internships with top companies, like DGR engineering, Interstates and Garmin, as well as a full-time job.

“Career fairs have much value, offering students the opportunity to meet with employers face-to-face and allowing them to make a personal connection right away,” she said.

Career Services offers students a variety of opportunities to hone their interview and networking skills. They have partnered again with Career Fair Plus, an app that allows students advanced access to employer profiles and the ability to submit digital resumes before the event. They also launched Grubby’s Closet, which provides students with professional attire for the career fair, interviews and other career-related opportunities. In addition, the Salvation Army of the Black Hills is again supplying vouchers for free professional business clothes.

South Dakota Mines' career fairs are regularly some of the largest in the state. For this spring’s event, 35 states, plus Washington, D.C., will be represented, with 88 of those companies having a presence in South Dakota; of those, 55 are headquartered in the state. Vendors and companies include Aerostar International, Caterpillar, Dakota Gold Corp., Freeport-McMoRan, HDR, Inc., Kiewit, Lloyd Companies, Nucor, Omnitech, Phase Technologies, LLC, RESPEC, VRC Metal Systems, LLC, among many others.

South Dakota Mines graduates remain highly sought after. A total of 97% of the most recent graduating class are employed in their field of study or are in graduate school and have an average starting salary of $77,067.

Both Uy and Updegraff advise students to make the most of attending the career fair, striving to meet as many people as possible and leveraging the network of faculty, staff and peers.

“Whether or not it is your dream company, make the best impression you can and strive to land as many interviews as possible,” Uy said. “Be honest and genuine, yet confident in the experiences and the skills you bring to the table. Recruiters are looking for someone to invest in.”