Vicente Valtierra was just one of the students who flocked to the University of Illinois Springfield Tuesday, looking for an opportunity to start a career.
"As long as I'm working with people, helping someone out, I'd be happy," Valtierra said.
He graduates in May with a master's degree in computer science. He's not worried about the state of the economy. Instead, he keeps an open mind about finding work in his chosen field.
"It's more about how you apply yourself, who you get to know, putting yourself out there," Valtierra said. "That makes a difference. People hear that it's a tough market, the economy is rough, but you take it upon yourself to make a difference."
One way to show that difference is to have something in your background that makes you stand out from everyone else. UIS Career Development Center director Tammy Craig thinks getting valuable experience is critical.
"The key is for them to actually participate in those experiential opportunities through internships, volunteer work, leadership opportunities," Tammy Craig said.
The career fair was featured by WICS-TV 20 on February 12, 2013.
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