Student Voices | Fordham University Hosts Successful Marketing Career Fair for Aspiring Marketing Professionals
Undergraduate | Oct 31, 2024 | Gabelli School of Business
On October 10, 2024, Fordham University’s Office of Career Services organized the first- ever Marketing Career Fair. Two hundred-sixty-five (265) students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from 27 participating companies including: BBC Studios, BNY, Warner Bros. Discovery, IPG Health, Omnicom Health Group, Analytic Partners, Aramark, Clarins USA, ALDI USA, Havas Health, and Paycom—just to name a few.
The event was the result of extensive planning and hard work that turned a vision into reality. In Fall 2023, Mohammad Nejad, Ph.D., chair of the Marketing Area, reached out to members of the Fordham University Career Services Office to discuss the possibility of organizing a career fair that would exclusively focus on marketing for its undergraduate students. Throughout the 2022–2023 academic year, they evaluated various approaches that would open up marketing career opportunities to students, leading to the decision to hold the Marketing Career Fair in Fall 2024.
Annette McLaughlin, the director of Fordham University’s Office of Career Services, shared that “Many employers commented on the students’ preparedness, noting their polished résumés and confident 60-second pitches.” In addition, 72 students had their professional headshot photos taken to enhance their personal brand on LinkedIn. Career fairs like this provide students with invaluable, real-world exposure to the job market. By engaging directly with employers, students can gain insights into the types of roles available, the skills needed, and how they can position themselves as strong candidates. This event also offered networking that may lead to employment opportunities after graduation. Company reps were impressed with the professionalism of the Gabelli students that they met. Just a few days after the Fair, several students shared that they had already received invitations to interview for Summer 2025 internships and full-time associate roles.
Aniko Delaney, a marketing lecturer at the Gabelli School of Business, who secured several employers to attend the event highlighted that “The students represented themselves well, and the event exceeded our expectations with 27 employers participating—many more than we had initially anticipated.” The Fair hosted a broad range of companies from industries such as banking, healthcare, luxury goods, insurance, sports, and entertainment. Employers such as Richemont, Third Bridge, Gen Re, and EssilorLuxottica demonstrated how marketing roles span across different sectors, offering students a chance to explore career paths that they may not have previously considered.
A standout features of the event was the diversity of positions available. From entry-level marketing roles to internships, students were able to learn about the specific skills and values that companies prioritize. The companies’ focus on both soft skills like communication and hard skills such as data analytics, emphasized the importance of adaptability in today’s job market. The Fair had an impressive turnout and feedback from both employers and students.
Fordham’s ongoing effort to provide initiatives such as this marketing career fair provides students with great opportunities to practice their professional skills, build confidence, and make meaningful connections that could shape their future careers.
The success of the marketing career fair wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the teams involved. Professor Nejad expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am deeply appreciative of Annette McLaughlin’s leadership and the hard work of Kathlene Mullaney and Gregory Triandis in planning and organizing this fantastic event. Special thanks also go to professors Aniko Delaney; Luke Kachersky, Ph.D.; Linda Luca; Anthony DeFrancesco; as well as to Aida Lahood, Marketing Area program manager, who supported this initiative. We are also thankful to the Gabelli School Personal and Professional Development team, including Cynthia Bush, Virginia Hill-Lobasso, and Jennifer O’Neil, for their partnership. In addition, our sincere gratitude to all the company representatives who participated and gave of their time to speak to our students. Their involvement is a testament to the Gabelli School’s growing reputation as a hub for future leaders in marketing.”
The collaboration between Fordham University’s Office of Career Services, the Gabelli School’s Marketing Area and the Office of Personal and Professional Development provides students with support along their journey to becoming the next generation of marketing professionals. We hope the Marketing Career Fair will be an annual event.
Written by: Ahmad Sharifi, M.B.A. ‘25
