Two campus engineering clubs will join forces tomorrow to host their first formal career fair to meet representatives from the engineering and technology industry.

The Evening with the Industry, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers, will give students the opportunity to sit down and talk with representatives from companies they might be interested in working for.

Allison Bourke, president of SWE, said the event is open to anyone who wants to participate, and 13 companies will attend. She said she hopes the event will relive some of the pressure of having to meet representatives from companies.

"Students will be able to have dinner and socialize with recruiters," Bourke said. "There will be less pressure for both sides."

Bourke, a chemical engineering junior, said SWE and NSBE teamed up to host the dinner when they heard about the idea from another school's chapter of SWE.

"NSBE showed a great interest in the event," Bourke said. "Hopefully we will continue to have this event in the future."

Bourke said of the companies attending, Raytheon, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and the CIA are sponsoring the event.

The event, which will be tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the UA Grand Ballroom, will consist of a formal dinner followed by a brief career fair. Each table will seat six students and two representatives based on the student's preference of companies they are interested in, Bourke said.

The UA Grand Ballroom is located on the third level of the Student Union Memorial Center.

Funding for the Evening with the Industry will be provided by the $300 companies pay to have a table at the event, and $10 student admission.

"We just hope students have a better chance at getting jobs and more understanding on how they would fit in with the companies," Bourke said. "We want them to get more experience, so they feel more comfortable."

Porache Hicks, program chair for NSBE and committee member for the Evening with the Industry, said she is very excited for the event and proud of the hard work that has gone into making it happen.

"We expect both science and engineering students to benefit heavily," Hicks said. "This event allows students to have a formal dinner with internationally-recognized companies."

Hicks, a molecular and cellular biology junior, said she has been involved in ticket sales for the event and will be the mistress of ceremonies at the dinner.

"I believe that this is a wonderful opportunity for students to get entry-level positions and internships," Hicks said.

Rosemary Galhotra, a chemical engineering junior and corresponding secretary for SWE, said members of SWE and NSBE invited several of the companies to the event during UA Career Days, which was held in September.

Galhotra said she feels this will be a great learning experience for SWE, NSBE and any students who plan on attending.

"We really hope students will get a sense of perspective from the companies," Galhotra said. "This opportunity is unique because students will get to sit with recruiters and get personal."

Jeffrey Goldberg, an associate professor of systems and industrial engineering and the adviser for NSBE, said the College of Engineering has numerous events throughout the year where students can meet with representatives from companies, but this is the first time SWE and NSBE have come together to plan an event.

"Anything that gets realism into the curriculum and gets realism into the student experience is worth it," Goldberg said.