NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s Career Development Center welcomed hundreds of students to its 2026 Fall Career Fair at the Gentry Center Complex. Themed “Lock In,” the fair brought together more than 100 employers representing a wide range of industries, from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses and community-based organizations.
Students explored internship and full-time employment opportunities, with some even landing interviews on the spot. Employers included Southern Company, Bank of America, Boeing, Metro Nashville Public Schools and TSU graduate programs, along with sponsoring companies such as Enterprise Mobility, Teach For America, and Unum.
Making an appearance at this year’s career fair, the Nashville Predators also connected with students through a welcome booth featuring employment opportunities with the organization. Students could learn more about internships, as well as full-time and part-time positions, while also meeting Gnash, the Predators’ mascot.
For many students, the career fair provided an opportunity to begin building professional connections early in their college careers.
TSU freshman Briana Gray, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native studying business administration, said she was excited to attend the career fair as a freshman.
“Going to the career fair early creates partnerships, community and an overall good feeling of being prepared for internships and life after college,” Gray said.
In preparation for the career fair, students were encouraged to take advantage of campus resources designed to help them prepare for professional opportunities, including the Career Closet, which provides free professional attire, and the Writing Center, which offers resume assistance.
“To prepare for the career fair, I went to the Writing Center and got help with my resume. I also made sure I looked business professional, and I had a great experience,” Gray said.
Leah Oliver, director of the Career Development Center, said the event underscored the university’s commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
“It’s wonderful that students have opportunities like this,” Oliver said. “Our goal is to make sure we partner with our alumni and ensure that all our students are fully employed. I’m grateful that these employers are coming here wanting to hire our graduates.”
Oliver noted that many employers specifically seek out TSU talent and emphasized the Career Development Center’s year-round efforts to prepare students for the workforce.
“We make sure TSU students are set up for success,” she said. “We host events across campus to help them dress for success, perfect their elevator pitches, and ensure their digital business cards and LinkedIn accounts are updated for recruitment opportunities.”
Among the recruiters at the fair were several TSU alumni who returned to campus to represent their companies and connect with the next generation of Tigers.
One of those alumni was Jade James, who graduated from TSU last fall and now works as a supply chain development associate with Kimberly-Clark. James spoke about how TSU helped launch her career and said she was eager to pay it forward by offering job and internship opportunities to current students.
“TSU prepared me for the success I was able to take to Kimberly-Clark,” James said. “Being able to pour back into TSU as this university did for me is a great opportunity. My advice? Be prepared and be yourself. These companies want to know what they’re investing in, so be you and be prepared to put your professional self forward.”
For students like sophomore Omari Neal of Lebanon, Tennessee, the career fair was an opportunity to gain a valuable experience with employers while exploring potential internships for next summer.
“This is a great opportunity for hands-on experience and that face-to-face interaction,” Neal said. “It also gives me the push that I need seeing our alumni here with their companies.” Neal said he was particularly interested in opportunities with Cummins and Boeing.
Oliver also encouraged students to keep an open mind about their career paths and embrace opportunities with both large corporations and small businesses. “I want to remind students to be optimistic,” Oliver said. “Companies are looking for all of our students across the board, regardless of discipline. Going to the event to network is good practice in general and an important part of their career journey.”
The 2026 Fall Career Fair provided students with opportunities to network directly with employers, learn more about potential career paths and receive immediate feedback on their qualifications and professional presence.
To learn more about career resources and upcoming opportunities, visit www.tnstate.edu/careers/.
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
