RAPID CITY, S.D. – The annual Fall Career Fair at South Dakota Mines will connect more than 1,000 students with over 200 companies on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the King Center. The event provides a key opportunity for students to secure jobs and internships with leading science and engineering firms from across the country.
The fair is a major event for the university, where graduates are highly sought after. According to the university, 97 percent of recent graduates are employed in their field or attending graduate school, with an average starting salary of $77,067.
“Employers consistently seek out our students, and many secure positions with leading companies even before graduation,” said Brian Tande, Ph.D., president of South Dakota Mines.
To help students prepare, the university’s career services center provides workshops on resume building and interview skills. They also offer professional attire free of charge through a new initiative called Grubby’s Career Closet, with support from local businesses Byrch Boutique and Mainstreet Menswear, as well as the Salvation Army of the Black Hills.
The career fair is one of the largest of its kind in the state. Companies attending represent 35 states, with 64 being based in South Dakota. A total of 21 companies are from the Black Hills area. Firms at the event include Freeport-McMoRan, Emerson, Caterpillar, Halliburton and RTX-Collins Aerospace. The fair is open exclusively to South Dakota Mines students and alumni.
