Recruiters from a variety of companies will gather from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom for the fall Internship Career Fair.

The NIU Cooperative Education Program hosts the event twice annually to assist students in meeting employers.

Internships give students an advantage when it comes to landing a job upon graduation, said Jessica Baldwin, internship coordinator for the communication department.

“Employers look for more than just a degree; they look for students with experience,” Baldwin said. “An internship is the best way to get that while still in school.”

There is detailed information about the fall Internship Career Fair available at www.niu.edu/coop. The Web site includes a list of participating businesses as well as tips for a successful interview. In addition, the Career Resources Center has a videotape students can view that describes what employers look for in qualified applicants.

Mireya Pourchot, publicist for the Cooperative Education Program, said she encourages students to come prepared.

“Recruiters make judgements in the first 30 seconds,” Pourchot said. “If you research the company and can verbalize your resume, you’ll be confident and that will come across.”

The fair is free to NIU students, and participants must bring an updated resume. Students must dress in either formal business attire or business casual dress. No students may enter wearing casual clothing such as jeans, T-shirts, mini skirts, shorts or sweat clothes.

“Dress appropriately, like you were going on a formal interview,” Pourchot said.

About 50 companies will participate Wednesday, and more than twice that amount are expected to recruit at the spring fair in February.