Schramm Inc. Generates Tons of Interest at Career Fair – Literally

Published 03.20.2013

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It's not at all unusual for employers to put their best face forward when recruiting students and alumni at Pennsylvania College of Technology's twice-yearly Career Fair. Vendors' booths typically feature knowledgeable personnel, attractive photos, colorful literature and expansive displays – along with an enticing assortment of swag – to spark interest in their respective companies.

It's not so common, however, for a company to bring along a hulking piece of equipment, station it in a nearby parking lot and let students climb aboard for a closer look.



Alumnus Zachary D. Ball (left)and his Schramm Inc. co-worker Bruce D. Mackay (right) gather with first-year students in the heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis major.Schramm Inc. employee Zachary D. Ball, a 2010 graduate of the college's heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis major, attended this week's Natural Resources Management Career Fair with Bruce D. Mackay, product support manager and the corporation's representative on the school's Heavy Construction Equipment Technician Emphasis Advisory Committee.

"We are committed to this institution," said Mackay, who teamed with Ball to introduce students to Schramm by demonstrating a T455WS truck-mounted drilling rig Tuesday. "For the last six years, we have only hired Penn College grads. The hydraulics experience the students receive in the heavy equipment technician program holds to our standards."

Schramm also honored that commitment with a visit to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center six months ago, offering a similar endorsement of Penn College graduates' skill level.

"We wanted the students to see what we do, what we are about and the unique professional opportunities that we offer our employees," said Mackay, whose introduction to Penn College was also an education of sorts.

The first time he heard of the college's "degrees that work" was when a student was completing a class assignment and contacted Schramm to ask questions about drilling rigs. Mackay said he asked what the project was for and the student proceeded to tell him about the institution.

Mackay attended a Career Fair, toured the Allenwood area campus and has looked to the college for employees ever since.

"It was good to be back and see familiar faces and the improvements and growth of the campus," added Ball, who also gave a shoutout to recognizable staff members in the ESC's Nature's Cove dining unit, telling them the food was just as good as he remembered it.

Photo by Carol A. Lugg, coordinator of matriculation and retention, School of Natural Resources Management