Tuesday, February 25, 2025
By: Alessia Amendola
University of Florida students packed into the Stephen C. O’Connell Center earlier this month for the annual College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) Design and Planning Career Fair.
Interim Associate Dean Dan Manley emphasized the event brought together some of the top companies and organizations, offering students a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and showcase their talents.
At the fair, students had the chance to explore job and internship opportunities, with many eager to take the next step in their careers.
“I’m looking for an architecture internship before starting graduate school this fall,” Anna Sabourin, an architecture major at DCP said. “UF’s DCP has prepared me for this event, especially by helping me build a portfolio of my work.”
Like many other students, Sabourin was excited to gain real-world experience and make connections that could shape her professional journey.
“I wanted to network with companies and hopefully land an internship,” said Jolee Bruce, an interior design major atDCP. “The way DCP structures its classes, along with the networking opportunities it provides, makes me feel confident at this event. One professor who has been especially helpful is Genesis Okken.”
As students like Sabourin and Bruce prepared to meet professionals in their fields, recruiters were eager to connect with prospective hires.
“I’ve been a UF DCP graduate for ten years, and it’s great to meet other design students,” said Craig Handley, Discipline Lead – Landscape Architect at The Haskell Company. “As recruiters, we’re looking for critical thinkers—independent, reliable people. One piece of advice I’d give students is to be persistent. I always appreciate follow-ups and check-ins; that level of professionalism stands out in the field.”
With numerous employers in attendance, the career fair offered a wide array of opportunities for students across all DCP majors.
“It feels great to come back as a former DCP student and be on the other side,” said Daniel Justiniano, a recruiter at the event and employee of Oelrich Construction. “You get hands-on experience from day one—50% of our company comes from our internship program. We encourage our interns to be proactive and resourceful.”
The Career Fair provided valuable insights, allowing students to explore future opportunities in their professional lives.
With networking, preparation and expert advice, students walked away with new skills and the confidence to take the next steps in their careers.
“Be open, push yourself out there and meet as many people as you can,” said Manley. “Our profession is fairly small, and you will likely run across these people again in the future.”
