Florida State University students will have the chance to connect with a variety of employers and explore career paths across industries during the reimagined Seminole Futures Recruitment Series, Wednesday, Sept. 24, through Thursday, Oct. 2. The recruitment series is open to all majors and class levels.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who participate in career fair networking receive 20% more job offers.
Led by the FSU Career Center within the Division of Student Affairs, Seminole Futures has evolved into a dynamic weeklong series offering guided career exploration and interactive events designed to support students at every stage of their professional journey.
“Our top priority is accelerating student success,” said Rob Liddell, assistant vice president for FSU’s Career Services. “To achieve this, the FSU Career Center has engaged partners, both on campus and from our valued employer network, to deliver a truly unique set of experiences. We want to ensure we meet the expectations, goals and interests of our students while rewarding the confidence of our employer partners. The redesigned Seminole Futures series will continue to position FSU as the premier source of talent for their recruitment needs.”
Whether seeking an internship or a full-time position after graduation, students have the unique opportunity to increase their professional network and discover career paths. The series is designed to connect students with employers through interactive, experience-driven engagement.
The Princeton Review’s latest college rankings placed FSU at No. 13 on the “Top 20 Best Schools for Internships (Public Schools)” list, making it the top public institution in Florida for internships.
Kicking off the Seminole Futures Recruitment Series this year is a new segment, “Power Players: Real Talk,” featuring FSU alum and Chief Operating Officer of Insight Global, Tim Stutz. The event will share tough challenges and real work expectations, giving actionable steps on how to use the feedback to grow professionally and personally. The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the Student Union Ballroom.
Stutz, who graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s in English Literature, said his personal goal is for every student who attends the event to walk away knowing how to build confidence by seeking out feedback from a variety of sources.
“I can still vividly remember that scary feeling that the ‘real world’ is looming,” he said. “I want to reassure as many students as possible that it’s not scary at all. It’s all about your commitment and confidence that will set you up for success.”
Throughout the week, students can take part in several other career discovery opportunities, including the Seminole Futures Job & Internship Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. More than 115 employers from numerous fields will be present to discuss early career prospects. Among them are Champion Partners: Danfoss Turbocor, Enterprise Mobility, Insight Global and ReliaQuest, and Gold Partners: Aldi, Amazon, CherryBekaert, L3Harris, Southwestern Advantage and Whiting-Turner Contracting. To view the full list of employers attending this semester’s fair, visit Nole Network.
“By participating in the Career Center’s preparation events, students significantly improve their chances of accessing the ‘hidden job market,’” said Christy Mantzanas, employer relations program director at the FSU Career Center.
Mantzanas said that according to CNBC, nearly 70 percent of jobs are never publicly posted, making strategic preparation essential for a job market that rewards early, experience-based learning.
“We’ve tailored programming to student interests and with direct access to more than 300 employer representatives at Seminole Futures, our students will not only gain confidence, but they will also be well positioned to cultivate a fruitful professional network to excel in the job market,” Mantzanas said.
Below are some Seminole Futures Recruitment Series key events. For the complete list and schedule, visit career.fsu.edu.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Power Players: Real Talk with Tim Stutz
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Student Union Ballroom
Join us for a bold talk about how to build resilience and confidence. It’s not your average keynote!
*Student check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
Prepare for the Fair with the Career Center
1 – 4 p.m. | Dunlap Success Center
An interactive and energizing prep event designed to help you feel confident and prepared to connect with employers, including a professional photobooth, résumé critique and printing, networking lab and more.
Monday, Sept. 29
Prepare for the Fair with Employers
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Dunlap Success Center
Ready to kickstart your career fair week? Stop by to connect with recruiters from multiple industries and get tips, ask questions, and boost your confidence before the big days ahead.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Engineering Job & Internship Fair
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Meet with leading engineering firms, government agencies and more who are looking for talented engineering students! Whether you’re exploring internships or full-time roles, this is your chance to shine.
Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Recognition & Networking Event
5 – 7 p.m. | Jim Moran Building Event Space
The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is hosting a reception to recognize students who have been awarded JMC scholarships and for students to network with business partners. Maximize your relationship-building opportunities and mingle with business representatives.
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Seminole Futures Job & Internship Fair
9 a.m. – noon; 1- 4 p.m. | Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
Calling all students across all majors: Meet with more than 300 employer representatives offering full-time jobs and internships across many industries. The opportunities are limitless!
FSU Panama City Campus Job & Internship Fair
3 – 6 p.m. | Holley Bldg., FSU Panama City Campus
Gain information about potential career opportunities from employers in the area who are looking to network and build your connections.
Thursday, Oct. 2
Interviews & Meet Ups
Dunlap Success Center
Interviews are by invitation only at the discretion of the employer. Students must be present at the Engineering Fair and/or Seminole Futures Fair to be eligible for an interview offer. Meet Ups are open and hosted by the employer to strengthen your connections after the fair.
FSU’s Career Center, located in the Dunlap Success Center, offers a variety of resources and services, including one-on-one career advising, résumé workshops, mock interviews, internship search assistance and tools for major exploration. These services aim to empower students in building the skills and confidence needed to achieve their professional and academic goals. For more information about the Career Center, visit career.fsu.edu.
To stay up to date with the Career Center and the Division of Student Affairs, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, X and the FSU Calendar.