Students, alumni and recruiters gathered at Howard Community College’s spring career fair, creating a space where attendees ranging from high school students to returning graduates could explore career paths, build connections and gain real-world experience.

The event featured employers across a wide breadth of industries including construction, media, communications, marketing, healthcare, technology and public safety, filling the top two levels of the Academic Commons building. A strong presence of HCC alumni returning as both recruiters and job seekers highlighted the continued connection between the college and its graduates.

For many students, the fair served as a starting point rather than a final destination.

“I’m still not quite sure what I want to do in the future, so I kind of just came to take a look around… see where my interest lies,” said Ariam, a student attendee.

That uncertainty was common among attendees, particularly those early in their academic journeys, who used the event to explore possibilities rather than commit to a single opportunity.

“I never know… what my career prospects are,” said KiJana Prowant, a theater student and U.S. Air Force veteran. “It gives me a clearer path.”

Unlike some student attendees in search of their first job, KiJana brings prior workforce experience, including time in the military and government. Her approach reflects a shift in priorities, focusing less on simply securing employment and more on finding a path that aligns with her evolving goals and interests.

“I keep my options open… because I never know what direction life will take me,” she said.

Her perspective stood out among students who were just beginning to navigate the workforce, illustrating the wide range of experiences present at the fair.

“Honestly, I was just looking for a job opportunity,” said David Inyang, a fall 2025 HCC graduate now attending the University of Maryland. “I was more than excited to come back.”

While motivations varied, a consistent theme among attendees was the importance of networking and exposure to new opportunities.

“You might not leave here with a job offer instantly, but you just meet so many new people,” Inyang said. “You learn about things that you might not have been interested in before.”

Students described the fair as a space not only to connect with employers, but also to discover new interests and rethink their career paths.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of different companies about sales, project management… things I didn’t ever consider,” he said. “Now I’m like, this is really a great opportunity.”

Employers echoed the importance of making those connections meaningful.

“Networking is very, very important,” said Deonnae, a recruiter with WETA. “That’s how I got the job that I’m in right now.” She added, “What stands out to me most is they’re more enthusiastic about the role… ready to learn.”

For some students, networking extended beyond personal benefit and into supporting others within their community.

“I want to collect… resources… not just for myself, but for others,” KiJana said, emphasizing the importance of sharing opportunities with fellow students.

That sense of community was also reflected in the presence of alumni who returned to campus, not only to recruit but also to reconnect and, in some cases, seek new opportunities themselves.

“I think HCC has a construction management department, so that’s what we are targeting,” said Sri Devi of CCL. “I’m an alumni from this college, from construction management.”

Sri Devi’s return highlights a growing pipeline between HCC and local industries, where former students actively seek out current students from the same programs.

Employers say that connection is producing strong candidates.

“Their backgrounds are actually much stronger than I would have thought,” said Sean, also with CCL. “I’m very impressed.”

“It seems like the school is setting people up for success,” he added.

Across industries, recruiters emphasized that while technical skills are valuable, personal qualities and soft skills often make the biggest difference.

“There’s no specific hard skills that we’re looking for,” said Adisa Morgan of Alta. “It’s more so people who have the mentality and willingness to be coachable and bring really positive energy… people who we can grow with.”

“Integrity—we need people that are willing to do the right thing for the right reasons,” said officer Paul Neil of the Maryland State Police.

“I think we need… personal skills,” said State Trooper, Stefan Hill. “Being able to relate to somebody that is different than your demographic.”

At the same time, employers pointed to specific areas of demand, reflecting broader workforce needs.

“Finance is definitely in demand,” Deonnae said, noting that journalism and IT are also key fields.

“Project management… and communicating with everybody,” Sean said. “There’s a lack of people who can handle the stresses of that kind of job.”

Beyond skills and qualifications, the fair also created opportunities to challenge misconceptions, particularly in fields like law enforcement.

“They have this idea of what police officers do… that we’re impersonal,” Neil said. “We’re kind of trying to break that.”

Through direct conversations, students began to reconsider those assumptions and see new possibilities.

“Now… they’re thinking, ‘that may be something I may be able to do,’” Hill said.

“What I want you to do is be confident in yourself… we just need you to have a mindset of believing that you won’t quit.”

That shift in confidence was reflected in students’ experiences as they navigated the event.

“At first I was really nervous… but everyone’s been so welcoming,” Inyang said. “I feel more confident now.”

While the environment encouraged exploration, employers and educators also pointed out areas where students could improve to make the most of events like this.

“Career fairs are interviews on both sides of the table,” Morgan said. “Students should be comfortable asking questions… and figuring out if a company is a good fit… going deeper than just their major.”

“Show initiative… go out and meet people,” said Mark Christmas of Marriotts Ridge High School, who attended with students as part of a career-readiness program called Passport to the Future. He further suggested students won’t know what opportunities will be a good fit until they take the time to talk to people and use their communication skills. “Meet as many people as you can,” he said.

Sean from CCL also emphasized communication skills at events like this. “Maybe [use] a stronger opening pitch,” he said.

“I think the biggest thing is to connect. I do see a lot of people just grabbing the goodies without actually talking to the person,” Deonnae said, emphasizing the importance of genuine engagement with employers.

Despite varying levels of preparation, many students left the event feeling encouraged and inspired.

“I want to… dedicate my time to something that gives back to people,” Ariam said, reflecting a desire for purpose-driven work beyond simply obtaining a job.

“I might meet someone that sparks the passion in me to try something different,” KiJana said.

In addition to exploring career options, KiJana is also working to bring a drumline program to HCC, aiming to expand creative opportunities and build a stronger sense of community on campus. She also used the fair as an opportunity to network with other students about the initiative.

From high school students gaining early exposure to alumni returning to recruit and reconnect, the career fair reflected a wide range of experiences, goals and ambitions.

“I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity here, and I want to tap into that,” Ariam said.