Job Fair Gives Insight Into Tough Job Market

Students, dressed to impress filled the Great Hall. Rows of business representatives sat at tables covered with purple tablecloths. For some students, this was a useful introduction to professional work and networking. Others left reminded of the challenges of finding a job in today’s market.

The 2026 Spring Job and Internship Fair, hosted by The City College of New York (CCNY) on March 12, brought in 761 students who met with 56 organizations, according to CCNY’s Career and Professional Development Institute (CPDI). Rhea Faniel, CPDI senior associate director, advised students to stay flexible. “If students are interested in working, they must be open to other opportunities they may not have considered or get a better understanding of what jobs are available for their skill set,” Faniel said. She noted that AI and the economy have changed employer recruiting practices, affecting the attendance of businesses this year. “Participation by our employer partners is down due to layoffs and cutbacks in the federal government and by companies,” she said.

CPDI promoted the event through email, social media, and the Career Connections portal. Still, students left with mixed reactions. Some found the event informative, while others questioned its effectiveness in helping them secure jobs.

“You only lose if you give up,” said Abdul Hiron, a first year CCNY business student. Hiron hopes to become an entrepreneur and is seeking experience in business, project management, or administration. He viewed the fair as a starting point.

But most of the representatives were not there to do on the spot hiring. Instead, they were there to provide information about their companies and encouraged students to apply through online portals.

A representative from the Connecticut Department of Transportation said, “We look to hire a number of people. If you say you specialize in the communication department, we won’t place you in the accounting department.” The comment emphasized the importance of aligning with specific roles and qualifications.

Gabriella Shilling, a CCNY student majoring in advertising and communications, wore a business-like black dress and moved from table to table in the Great Hall. But she felt disappointed. “Overall, it wasn’t for advertising students,” she said. She found that many organizations focused on engineering and technical roles. Shilling arrived with 20 printed resumes but only handed out two. “I really thought it was going to be useful. I thought the whole point of a career fair was an opportunity to stand out,” she said.

Eduardo De Leon, a CCNY alumnus, arrived dressed in a pale-blue button-down shirt, tie, and khaki pants. He works as a doorman and hopes to find a better job. “It wasn’t a waste but also not very helpful as someone trying to find an actual job,” he said. “It felt like a glorified info session.” De Leon handed out resumes but questioned whether employers would review them.

Faniel emphasized that students must take initiative to benefit from events like career fairs. “If students truly want an internship or opportunity, they need to be present at on campus events, attend off campus events, and show up prepared,” she said. She added that all CCNY students can access career advisors for resume preparation and cover letter support by scheduling an appointment with CPDI.