At FAMU, the job search begins before graduation

Three Key Takeaways

• Career preparation is becoming a bigger part of the FAMU experience: The university’s Fall 2026 Career & Internship Expo will feature about 150 companies looking to connect with students.
• Students are competing for opportunities well before graduation: Internships, networking and early recruitment can shape a student’s path into the workforce.
• The bigger measure is what happens after college: For FAMU, career preparation is closely tied to its broader mission of student success and economic mobility.

For many FAMU students, the transition from college to a career begins long before commencement.

It starts with a résumé, a conversation with a recruiter and, sometimes, an internship that becomes a first job.

FAMU’s Fall 2026 Career & Internship Expo, today, will bring students together with more than 150 potential employers and graduate programs at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed to connect students with internships, full-time positions and career opportunities.

Preparing before the job search
The timing reflects how early employers increasingly recruit college students.

FAMU encourages students to use the expo not only to apply for jobs but also to explore industries, build professional relationships and learn what employers expect from candidates.

The university has been preparing students for the event through other career-development efforts. Last week, more than 250 students participated in a JCPenney “Suit Up” event offering discounted professional clothing and career resources.

The goal is straightforward: give students more tools to compete before they receive their degrees.

Employers are looking across campus

FAMU’s employer network includes companies such as Ford Motor Company, Aon, Raymond James, Macy’s, Fidelity Investments, Shell, Enterprise Mobility and Pfizer. Their recruiting needs span fields including engineering, technology, finance, business and the sciences.

For students, that creates an opportunity to make connections outside the classroom and better understand how their academic preparation translates into the workplace.

FAMU has also used career events to bring alumni back to campus as recruiters, creating a direct connection between graduates already in the workforce and students preparing to enter it.

The measure after the diploma

Career preparation has taken on greater importance as colleges face growing scrutiny over what happens to students after graduation.

FAMU’s recent rise in national rankings has also highlighted measures tied to student outcomes and social mobility. The university ranked No. 79 among public universities in the latest U.S. News rankings, its highest position in that category.

The career expo is a much smaller event than a national ranking, but it addresses the same underlying question: What opportunities do students have when their time at FAMU ends?

For some students, the answer may begin today with a résumé handed across a recruiting table, a firm handshake, and a conversation that continues long after they leave campus.