A trio of career expos connects students and industry professionals
By Megan Nash
A company’s website might list open positions, but it rarely conveys the human side of a career.
This month, the VCU School of Business took the concept of career exploration offline, hosting three back-to-back expos tailored to three specific majors: supply chain management and analytics (SCMA), accounting and risk management and insurance (RMI).
The weeklong series brought dozens of organizations to campus and connected students with alumni, industry professionals and most importantly, new possibilities.
This year marked the first SCMA Expo, debuted alongside the school’s newest major: supply chain management. Faculty and employers used the event to spark interest in a field brimming with opportunities—many of them largely unknown to students.
“One of our biggest challenges in supply chain management is that students simply aren’t aware of the field and its vast array of exciting career options,” said Brett Massimino, Ph.D., chair of the Supply Chain Management and Analytics Department. “At the SCMA Expo, we showcased many great companies that illustrate the incredible breadth of careers available in our field, helping students discover paths they’ll love.”
At the Accounting Expo, now in its third year, students were met with stories that challenged their expectations of the profession. Bo Brown, a controller for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, spoke about managing everything from stadium construction to costume purchases. “Accounting is everywhere—you just have to find your niche,” he said. His story, like the expo’s 13 thematic career pods, showed how many different paths accounting can lead to.
For Alisa Brink, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Accounting, breaking stereotypes is essential to attracting more students to the field. “One of the goals of this event is to show students that accounting is broader than they might have thought,” said Brink, “Whether they want to work in the arts or support a charity they’re passionate about, understanding accounting can play a key role in helping organizations succeed.”
Bringing back its signature Worlds-Fair-style theme, Charlotte Torrence, program coordinator for the Department of Accounting, shared the importance of creating a welcoming environment.
“We’re making it as comfortable and easy as possible to go up and talk to a professional because when you’re a college student, going to a career fair to talk to someone, is really intimidating,” she said. “Recognizing that and giving them this experience where it’s a positive, happy experience makes them feel a lot more comfortable as they network going forward.”
With its sophomore run, the RMI Expo also offered an informal setting for students to explore a field that touches on nearly every industry.
Representatives from McGriff Insurance Services noted the value of candid, pressure-free conversations. “An expo like this gives students the freedom to ask questions they might hesitate to ask in a formal interview,” said Heather McIver (B.S. ’06). For some students, those conversations opened doors to specialty areas, like cyber insurance, that they hadn’t considered before.
More than 500 students attended the expos, engaging with representatives from 77 companies, including Allianz Partners, CarMax and The Lego Group. Many professionals on hand were VCU alumni.
“I’ve come to this event both as a student and as a company,” said Mallory Keck-Wilson (B.S. ’23), now a client support specialist at MarshMcLennan Agency. “It’s great to see so many people excited about this field [insurance]—it’s not always the first thing students think about when choosing a career.”
Students from other majors also took advantage of the week’s opportunities.
Health services major Kristalen Adams (B.S. ’27) visited nearly every booth at the Accounting Expo, taking note of internship openings and learning more about how accounting fits into diverse industries. “It’s a really great way for not just accounting students but also other majors to get out and talk to people,” she said.
With plans to expand into an official “Expo Week,” VCU Business is broadening its efforts to prepare students for their careers. “I came here with an open mind,” said Adams, “and I’ve learned so much more about what VCU can offer.”
Learn more about upcoming department expos, career fairs and career resources by visiting VCU Business Career Services in Snead Hall or online at business.vcu.edu/business-career-services.
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