{"id":10927,"date":"2026-11-03T22:32:52","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T22:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-environment-forestry-natural-sciences\/?p=10927"},"modified":"2026-11-12T22:31:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T22:31:39","slug":"beyond-the-career-fair-cefns-career-week-connects-students-with-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-environment-forestry-natural-sciences\/beyond-the-career-fair-cefns-career-week-connects-students-with-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Career Fair: CEFNS Career Week Connects Students with Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From classroom visits and career conversations to a record-breaking career fair, CEFNS Career Week 2026 brought students, alumni, and employers together to explore what’s possible beyond graduation.<\/em>

Career readiness doesn’t happen in a single day. It’s built through conversations, mentorship, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections with professionals who help students see what’s possible.

That\u2019s the idea behind CEFNS Career Week<\/strong>, held September 29\u2013October 2. For the first time, the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) Career Development Office expanded its career programming into a weeklong experience, bringing together Northern Arizona University students, employers, and alumni to explore career paths, build professional connections, and discover opportunities across science, technology, and natural resources.

This fall, those efforts reached a new milestone, with more than 200 students attending the Natural Resources & Sciences Career Fair<\/strong>, setting a new attendance record. The event also saw increased participation from students studying environmental science, geology, data science, physics, and astronomy\u2014disciplines historically less represented at the fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing Career Connections into the Classroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Career Week extended well beyond the traditional career fair, with employers engaging students directly in classrooms, student organizations, panel discussions, and networking events. Representatives from Arizona Public Service, Marsh, Weyerhaeuser, Sierra Pacific Industries, Northwest Management, Inc. (Forsite)<\/strong>, Arizona Game and Fish, Roseman University<\/strong>, United States Forest Service (Both Coconino & Kaibab), NASA Space Grant and NAU’s Climate Science and Solutions Master’s Program<\/strong> visited campus to share industry insights and connect with students preparing to enter the workforce. The CEFNS Career Development Office also engaged students in at least five capstone and graduate-level courses, helping them explore career pathways and connect their academic experiences with professional opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Building Partnerships That Open Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the Horizons Mixer<\/em>, employers, faculty, and university partners explored ways to create meaningful career connections beyond a single event. Dr. Rita Sattler from Barrow Neurological Institute<\/strong> joined the conversation, highlighting the importance of internships, mentorship, and ongoing engagement between employers and students. Representatives from the Coconino and Kaibab Forest Service<\/strong> also participated, building on partnerships that have expanded internship opportunities and helped connect students across NAU with valuable professional experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers reported seeing students approach conversations with greater confidence and preparation, ready to share their resumes, discuss their interests, and explore potential career paths. NAU alumni who returned as employers also expressed interest in becoming more involved with the college and giving back to the programs that helped launch their own careers. Together, these experiences reflect the growing impact of CEFNS Career Week: helping students build professional confidence while strengthening relationships that can lead to internships, mentorship, and future employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting Students Every Step of the Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Career Week is just one part of the year-round support available through the CEFNS Career Development Office<\/strong>, located on the fifth floor of NAU’s Science and Health Building. Supporting NAU’s commitment to 100% Career Readiness<\/strong>, the center helps students explore career pathways, develop professional skills, prepare for interviews, build resumes, and connect with employers.

During the 2025\u201326 academic year, the Career Development Office hosted 437 one-on-one student appointments<\/strong>, while continuing to expand employer engagement through career fairs, networking events, workshops, and industry partnerships. From a student’s first career conversation to their first internship or job offer, these experiences help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Involved: Help Shape the Next Generation of Professionals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The success of CEFNS Career Week and the ongoing work of the CEFNS Career Development Office are made possible by the generosity and involvement of employers, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners who invest in the success of NAU students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Connected:<\/strong> Interested in sharing your career journey, mentoring students, recruiting NAU talent, or exploring sponsorship opportunities? Contact chase.kurbat@nau.edu<\/a><\/strong> to learn how you can get involved or request the CEFNS Corporate Partnership Package<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a Gift:<\/strong> Your generosity helps make career readiness possible! Gifts to the CEFNS Career Development Office support personalized one-on-one career advising, professional development programs like Lunch & Learns, career fairs, and the dedicated team that brings these opportunities to life. Make a gift to support the CEFNS Career Development Office!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, we’re helping students build the connections, confidence, and real-world experiences they need to thrive beyond graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n