On Sept. 27, the University of Missouri-Rolla will host what has become possibly the largest university career fair in the state. This career fair is expected to be even bigger than the one UMR hosted last fall — an event that attracted more than 250 employers to campus, setting a university record.

“UMR is somewhat geographically challenged, but employers are experiencing a return on their investment and continue to recruit from our talented student population,” says Lea-Ann Morton, director of UMR’s Career Opportunities Center. “They’re starting to make a big push on campuses where they’ve found value in the past.”         

UMR was recently cited by the Princeton Review as having one of the top 20 job placement programs among all universities in the nation.         

In 2006-2007, more than 4,250 on-campus interviews were conducted at UMR. Employers came from 44 states. Forty-six percent of the employers were from Missouri.         

“We’ve even established a new suit closet for students seeking attire for interviews,” says Morton.          

Among those graduating from UMR with bachelor’s degrees, the average starting salary in 2006-2007 was $53,669. Those with graduate degrees averaged $62,751.        

UMR, which will become the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2008, enrolled its largest freshman class in history this fall. The total enrollment is now approximately 6,100 students.         

UMR’s 2007 Fall Career Fair is open to UMR students and alumni only. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in the Student Recreation Center, 10th Street and Bishop Avenue, Rolla.