Students share career goals at Michigan Tech University spring career fair

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) - Snow and winds in Houghton County didn’t stop Michigan Tech University (MTU) students from turning out Tuesday for the university’s spring career fair.

“There’s a lot to learn from all the people out here, all the companies out here,” Michigan Tech Sophomore Mitchell Yates said. “And it’s just a great experience to have,”

Yates attended the career fair to look at possible options for life after college. Yates is pursuing mechanical engineering at MTU. However, learning about engineering theory is only part of his journey toward becoming a patent attorney.

“I’m interested in a lot of parts of law, and I know a lot about engineering,” Yates continued. “I’m very good at it, I think. I think that can be a very beneficial career for me.”

Yates plans to find a job in automotive or manufacturing for two to three years to raise money and get hands-on experience before going to law school.

Some students at the fair are further along in their journey, such as fellow mechanical engineering fifth-year student Parker Molewyk. Set to graduate in the spring, Molewyk is looking into a career in aerospace engineering.

“I just really like the innovation that the industry has,” Molewyk said. “And I just really want to pursue and use my curiosity and creativity to help advance that.”

Molewyk is part of the university’s Enterprise program, which works on aerospace projects such as satellites. He notes that his time at the university has only made him more interested in this career path.

“So, I’m kind of here, looking for companies that are involved in aerospace,” Molewyk added. “I’ve always kind of had that in mind of the industry I wanted to be a part of.”

According to the university, 160 companies and groups participated in the spring fair this year.