Like many of the students who attended the nontechnical day of the Spring Career Fair yesterday,… Like many of the students who attended the nontechnical day of the Spring Career Fair yesterday, Pitt senior Rachel Bachtel didn’t expect to see any employers looking for students in her field of study.

“Well, I’m a history major, so … you’re not going to see a sign for a history major wanted, but [general education] has given me the writing and communication skill that [employers] are looking for,” Bachtel said.

She added that she wouldn’t mind working outside of her major because she views history as a passion, regardless of where she is working.

Like many who attended that the fair, held throughout the main floor of the Union, Bachtel reported feeling anxieties ranging from fears about the economy to being unsure about how to dress. Despite these consternations and others, hundreds of undergraduate, graduate students and alumni networked with the 87 employers who attended the fair.

Including both the technical and nontechnical days, 175 businesses visited Pitt this week. That’s 25 more than last year, and 30 of those 175 did not attend in the past.

Cheryl Finlay, director of the Office of Student Employment and Placement Assistance, said more people attended yesterday’s event, likely because nontechnical careers cover a broader range of majors.

Finlay also said the employers were not just looking for graduating seniors seeking a career. They also offered internships to underclassmen and provided an opportunity for students to consider careers that they might not have previously associated with their majors.

Sophomore anthropology majors Kaley Miller and Alicia Eissler also grappled with the stress of studying a difficult major to employ outside of academia.

Eissler, who also studies sociology, said she interns with Pitt advising office and came to the fair to observe and ask questions about order to become a well-informed adviser.

Miller said she felt somewhat overwhelmed.

“I didn’t know what to expect or what to wear,” she said. “I figured, start with dress pants. From there I called my sister to borrow this shirt.”

“I’m not sure who to talk to,” Miller continued. “This is my first time having to interview.”

Even alumnus Wesley Coy and graduate student Demora Smitherman expressed a degree of anxiety associated with the job search.

“I’ve had five interviews,” Coy said of his job search so far, “so I’m excited and anxious at the same time.”

As an alumnus, Coy registered for the career fair through the University’s online placement assistance services.

Smitherman, a commuter, expressed the value of job opportunities. “Since becoming a commuter student, I’ve been a lot more driven. You tend to show up to classes and really want a career when it takes two hours to get here.”

Employers also saw the fair as an opportunity, and many discussed the public relations benefits of attending the fair.

“They’re not just recruiting, they’re building a reputation here,” Finlay said.

A broad range of businesses attended the fair, ranging from United States Steel Corporation and Rue21 to the U.S. Army and the Peace Corps.

U.S. Steel representatives said that they were in a period of rebuilding after a brief hiring freeze caused by the recession. The company has 130 job openings in finance, accounting, marketing, supply chain management and other areas.

U.S. Steel was also among the companies hiring both technical and nontechnical employees. As a result, the companies were present at both days of the career fair.

Staff sergeants Adam Bliss and Jesse Velazquez said that the Army is offering positions for all majors.

“It’s a great time for recruiting, and we’ve had a good turnout today,” Bliss said. “The army looks good on a resume and can help pay off debts.”

“Actually being here where [attendees] can talk to us face to face with us really helps,” Velazquez said.

Jonnett Maurer, a Peace Corps recruiter, also attended. She said the Peace Corps offers volunteer work that can be a great resume builder.

Maurer, who recruits for all of western Pennsylvania, also said that the career fair is one of the biggest recruiting days of the year for her.

Many of the businesses that attended are reporting growth, which is good news for prospective employees.