BGSU Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections positions students for professional success during first-ever Career EXPO Week

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Committed to positioning students for professional success, the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections at Bowling Green State University recently held its first-ever Career EXPO Week, introducing students to its growing network of top-tier employers.

As the University's largest Career EXPO ever, more than 1,000 BGSU students and a record number of recruiters attended the inaugural event held Oct. 2-5 at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union and virtually.

Each day of the EXPO focused on specific industries to ensure attendees could forge valuable connections and engage in meaningful conversations relevant to their career interests. The industries represented included healthcare, public service, STEM and advanced manufacturing, financial/consumer services and design.

BGSU senior Olivia Phillips, who is majoring in accounting, valued the intentionality of the multi-day event and the exposure to numerous companies in her field.

“BGSU does an excellent job of setting up opportunities like this for students,” she said. “It was so refreshing to have all the companies right in front of you.”

Meanwhile, BGSU sophomore Logan Slivka attended the EXPO to increase his confidence in talking with employers while also making connections he hopes will serve him in the future.

“This is a tremendous experience to put into practice what we learn in class,” said Slivka, who is majoring in marketing. “It’s so important to take advantage of these opportunities because it will only benefit me in the future.”

Many local, regional and national employers with reputations for hiring BGSU students and alumni attended the Career EXPO, including Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams Company.

BGSU alumna Abbey Strauss ’20, a Sherwin-Williams talent acquisition specialist, said she enjoyed being back on campus talking with students about their career interests.

“It was great interacting with students throughout the week,” Strauss said. “It was wonderful to hear about their experiences and the kinds of opportunities they’re looking to get from an internship or full-time opportunity.”

Opened in 2023, the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections is an integral part of the BGSU Life Design ecosystem aimed at helping students align their interests with future career opportunities.

“It was so fulfilling seeing how engaged both our BGSU students and employer partners were throughout the entire week,” said Steve Russell, assistant vice president and executive director of the Kuhlin Hub. “I witnessed countless conversations and genuine connections being formed throughout the week.

Throughout the year, students can engage with Kuhlin Hub career design coaches, who provide resources and support to explore career opportunities purposefully.

The Kuhlin Hub’s unique and comprehensive approach to connecting students to its robust network of industry professionals is one of the many examples of the University’s commitment to supporting student success and outcomes and a driving factor in its reputation for excellence as the No. 1 university in Ohio - public or private - for student experience.

Aligned with its mission of ensuring students graduate career-ready and connected, the Kuhlin Hub also recently launched the Falcon Professional Network, a groundbreaking initiative to connect BGSU alumni with current students. The platform is a professional networking resource for students, alumni and employer partners from all industries and backgrounds.