Clarkson students showcase aptitude

POTSDAM — Over a laptop, Michael Klein showed a Clarkson student the ins and outs of what his Internet sales manager would do.

Attending Clarkson's first regional small-employer career fair Tuesday afternoon, the two scoured the website of Mr. Klein's outdoor sports equipment store, Wear on Earth, and talked about tracking inventory and changing website banners.

"I am hiring — trying to," Mr. Klein said. "I am a Clarkson alum, so I find the university provides a good quality of student and I try to recruit as much as I can out of the university."

Of the 20 companies and organizations at the fair, most were looking for interns. Employers ranged from small businesses, such as Wear on Earth and SunFeather Natural Soap Co., to nonprofit organizations including the regional branch of the American Red Cross and Renewal House.

A few dozen professionally dressed students ambled around the second floor of the student center, clutching folders containing notes and resumes to hand out to potential employers.

"Some are timid; some are really excited," said Olga E. Grant, branch manager of the American Red Cross of Northern New York. "They're all trying to figure out where they're going to be come graduation or come the summer."

For sophomore Noelle Y. Mailhot, an internship would be "ideal." The Arizona native had handed out four resumes and had a small stack of them in a binder during the first hour of the fair. She eagerly spoke with staff from High Peaks Cyclery, Lake Placid, about her experience in planning and working at special events.

Other students did not seem to be having much luck.

"I'm hoping to pay off my debt," senior Christopher E. Goff said. "I'm hoping to use some of my talents in photography and stuff, but there's not much here."

The businesses lined the student center, some handing out pens and stickers, others having large displays on tri-fold poster board. During the three-hour fair, most of the tables were busy with at least one student talking with business representatives. The businesses all were from the north country, with most from St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.

"I need a job; getting professional experience is always good," Miss Mailhot said. "I'm really into the Adirondack jobs that involve the outdoors."