TAMU-CC Islander Energy Club Students Explore Career Opportunities at SEC Engineering Career Fair

Members of the Islander Energy Club at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) traveled to College Station this semester to attend the SEC Engineering Career Fair, where they connected with employers, explored different industries, and strengthened their professional networking skills. 

Among the students attending were Mason Martinez ’26 and Guy Massey ’26, both senior mechanical engineering majors preparing to graduate in December. Sponsored by the Islander Energy Club, the trip gave students an opportunity to attend the Sept. 9-11 career fair and connect with companies they may not typically encounter at TAMU-CC. 

With graduation approaching, Martinez and Massey attended primarily to explore full-time employment opportunities and connect with employers representing a broader range of engineering industries. They also gained valuable insight into the qualifications and skills companies seek in prospective employees.   

Preparation for the event included reviewing resumes and researching potential employers. Martinez worked with his peers to identify areas where his resume could be improved, while Massey researched participating companies to better understand their operations and hiring needs. 

Once at the career fair, the students explored industries that aligned with their interests and previous experiences. Martinez focused on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), aerospace, and oil and gas companies. Massey, whose internship experience was primarily in the oil and gas industry, also explored opportunities in construction. 

“I think the career fair was a good success,” Massey said. “I was able to explore industries I had not previously considered and made many new connections.” 

One company that particularly caught Martinez’s attention was Allied Power Group (APG), where he learned about the company's work in metal additive manufacturing. The technology introduced him to an interesting application of engineering within the industry. 

For Massey, conversations with construction recruiters revealed opportunities in sectors he had not previously considered. One of the most notable discoveries was the demand for engineers involved in data center construction. 

“After speaking with a lot of recruiters, I learned one of the biggest project sectors currently was data center construction, which I thought was interesting,” Massey said. 

The students also gained valuable insight into the current engineering job market. They observed that many companies were primarily recruiting for internships, with fewer full-time positions available than they had anticipated. However, the construction industry appeared to offer several employment opportunities for graduating engineers. 

Beyond exploring career paths, the experience helped the students develop their communication and networking skills. Massey found that speaking with recruiters throughout the event helped him become more confident discussing his experiences and connecting his qualifications to employers’ needs. 

“Speaking with many different recruiters helped to develop my communication and professional skills as I got progressively better at speaking about my experiences and relating them to the company I was talking to,” Massey said. 

The experience also led to additional professional opportunities, including interviews with companies following the career fair. Massey said those conversations provided further opportunities to strengthen his communication skills and expand his professional network. 

The event also encouraged both students to consider career paths beyond their initial areas of interest. While Martinez remained focused on applying for a full-time position, Massey began exploring opportunities outside the oil and gas industry, including construction and automotive. 

For students considering attending future career fairs, Martinez and Massey emphasized the importance of preparation. They recommend reviewing resumes, researching participating companies, and practicing how to communicate previous experiences to potential employers. 

Through the Islander Energy Club's support, TAMU-CC engineering students were able to expand their professional networks, discover new career paths, and build confidence as they prepare to enter the workforce. 

“Revise your resume, research the companies a bit, and be prepared to talk about your past experiences and how they relate to the company you are speaking with,” Martinez and Massey advised.