Tuesday, February 20, 2024
By: Kyle Niblett
Made up of mostly alumni returning to their old stomping grounds, a staggering total of 107 distinguished companies converged at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Tuesday morning on the esteemed campus of the University of Florida for the annual M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management Spring Career Fair. The event featured a whopping 326 registered students, made up of Rinker students, students from the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning and others.
“This event is a source of profound pride as I have the privilege to unite our present students with our esteemed alumni, fostering a bond that exemplifies the unparalleled distinction of Rinker,” said Dr. Robert F. Cox, Director of the Rinker School. “This family-reunion like tradition serves as a vibrant testament to the extraordinary essence that defines our school.”
Serving as a pivotal role in propelling students towards shaping the construction industry’s future landscape, companies journeyed from as far as Texas to engage in a dynamic recruitment process that lasted four-plus hours. The afternoon ended with a cascade of exclusive individual interviews.
Rinker graduate student Tatiana Campos, who earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture at the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning, attributed the resounding success of the career fair to the unwavering commitment of actively engaged alumni, who tirelessly foster opportunities for the next generation.
“After I learned so much about design with DCP’s holistic approach, I wanted to get to the next step of the construction process,” said Campos. “I had opportunities elsewhere, but with 100 percent job placement, why would I not continue at UF? Nothing matches this alumni network.”
For 2020 Rinker graduate Jason Slater, there is no other place besides Gainesville they would rather recruit for talent.
“This is the best construction management program in the country and I’m not just saying that because I graduated from it,” said the DeAngelis Diamond project manager. “We would not miss this event for the world. It is our top priority when it comes to recruiting.”
