Favour Kelobo (MBA ’25) wasn’t expecting a banner at a job fair to change her career path. Walking around the Experience Expo last year, however, a Canadian Niagara Hotels (CNH) sign caught her eye.

The then-MBA student hadn’t considered applying for a co-op role with the organization, but a conversation with CNH representatives gave her the confidence to send in her resume.

“If I didn’t attend the event, I wouldn’t have known that I had the opportunity to work at CNH without experience in the hospitality industry,” said Kelobo, who joined CNH full-time as an accountant after graduating last fall.

Hosted by the Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) team, the annual Experience Expo is Brock’s largest on-campus recruitment fair.

This year’s event – which takes place Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium — will feature more than 80 employers sharing information on full-time, co-op, summer or part-time roles.

While networking with so many potential employers at once can be intimidating, Amy Maskell Mills says it was worth stepping out of her comfort zone to attend last year’s expo.

“I know I was really nervous and overwhelmed when I first went, but it is a good chance to just try and speak to people. Especially for companies you have an interest in,” said the fourth-year Business Administration student.

Mills connected with representatives from Airbus Helicopters Canada, where she went on to complete a co-op semester, while networking with potential employers.

That experience inspired her to explore a new career path.

“I have a goal to become a human resources manager, which I wouldn’t have considered a year ago, so this co-op did shape my future,” she says. “This co-op was the best way to get real experience and learn from some amazing people.”

Kelobo agrees, saying her co-op allowed her to develop technical and communication skills while gaining valuable experience with accounting and finance process.

“I learnt a lot and grew professionally during and after my co-op. Overall, it was a great experience,” she says.

CCEE Director Julia Zhu said Kelobo and Mills are great examples of how the Experience Expo can help students explore career options with the support of Brock’s CCEE team.

“We wanted to create a welcoming space that’s open to all Brock students where they can feel confident showcasing their skills and exploring career opportunities right here on campus, regardless of program or year of study. By connecting students directly with employers, we’re helping address youth unemployment while demonstrating the value Brock students and alumni bring to organizations as highly capable, work-ready talent,” Zhu said.

While registration is not required, students can RSVP by visiting careerzone.brocku.ca or learn more about the event on ExperienceBU.

Students are encouraged to dress as though they are attending a job interview and to have their resumés ready to submit to organization or have reviewed by Brock’s Career Education Team on site.