About 231 employers gathered at NIU’s Job Fair with goals of student interaction.

Employers like Jewel-Osco, Target Corporation, Moldex 3-D, 3M corporation, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Groupon and TCF were at the job fair. Students were able to talk to employers and get interviews scheduled.

Cindy Henderson, Career Services executive director, said more than 400 students were interacting with the employers in the first half of the Job Fair on Wednesday.

“Seven hundred students have pre-registered for this fair, and we are hoping for the best out of it,” Henderson said.

Dana Stover, wife of NIU President Doug Baker, said Wednesday was the first time she has attended the Job Fair and was pleased with it’s progress.

“I love coming to NIU because I have a special connection with this university, being an alumni myself,” said Rich Ray, Jewel-Osco human resources manager. Ray said he has been coming to the Job Fair for more than 26 years.

Felicia Mckinney, alumna and CDW Corporation employee, said the bar has been raised for students and CDW expects professionalism and strong relationship-building skills.

“I have been coming here for 13 years. NIU is the best in [the] Midwest. The students are great and getting better every year,” said Drew Butts, Enterprise Holdings training and development manager.

Sushant Gudi, senior industrial engineering major, said the Job Fair is a good opportunity for students to interact with the employers, get to know them and share their projects and work experience.