JUSTIN BARKER/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona alumni Kimberly Dong, left, and Rachel Nelson talk to students about job opportunities at Mervyn's. They operated one of many booths at this semester's career fair in the Student Union Memorial Center.

Over 2,000 students showed up for the first day of the largest career fair held on campus each year.

Located in the grand ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center, the fair offered employment opportunities ranging from jobs at the Boston Beer Company to the Central Intelligence Agency.

"We have 125 employers in there right now. It's the first year where everyone showed up," said Susan Miller, marketing and special events coordinator for career services, adding that in past years there were a number of employer cancellations due to the weak economy.

"Up until the year 2000, we were turning employers away. In 2001, we noticed a marked difference in the employers that were showing up. It was obvious that the economy was hurting," Miller said. "It's been really clear the economy is looking up. Things are looking up for the graduating class."

Many employers are recruiting students from all majors.

"We're looking for students from a multitude of majors who are looking for a career in sales. We'll extend a job offer to every qualified candidate that meets our hiring criteria," said Jim Yeager, section sales manager for Phillip-Morris USA.

"We're not looking for a specific major. We're looking for students who are either graduating soon or can do our summer internship," said Jill Martinez, human resources for the Jim Click Automotive Team.

Martinez added that she intends to recruit 12 students for a summer internship that pays $1,800 per month.

"Our hope is that you'll come back next year and do it full time," Martinez said.

Those students uninterested in working for a major corporation have other options open to them.

"There's a lot of pressure in our society to graduate and get a job. This program is sort of the alternative to the student who knows exactly what they want to do," said Amy Bass, representative for Americorp. "We've gotten about 25 responses from students already."

Although recruiters at the career fair are mostly looking to hire graduating seniors, even freshmen can benefit from a trip to the career fair.

"If you're a senior, you're looking for a job. For a freshman, its an opportunity to get a better feel for what you might be looking for in the future," Miller said.

"It's a good opportunity to meet employers and see what questions they ask," said Randy Deitemeyer, a pre-business freshman. "When I come back in four years, I'll have a better idea of what employers look for."

For many students, the career fair has reassured them that they don't need to fear life after graduation.

"It certainly puts me at ease that there are recruiters looking for people here at the UA. I've seen quite a few people I'd like to work for, companies that are nationwide and not just in Arizona," said Kristen Reinken, a management information systems freshman.

The career fair will continue today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.