Twenty-four College of Southern Nevada students had the opportunity to network with top industry professionals at the American Rental Association (ARA) Show on Jan. 31 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Thanks to a personal sponsorship from the ARA, students attended one of the largest trade shows in the world, where they met with potential employers, explored career opportunities and gained valuable industry insights.

Career Services invited students from the Automotive and Diesel Technology, Business, Computer Science and leadership programs to participate in the event. The experience marked the department’s first time attending a trade show of this scale, opening doors for future collaborations.

Faculty members Kevin Krystek and Mike Whitehead joined eight Career Services team members to support students as they navigated the event. Representatives from six multi-billion-dollar companies were in attendance, actively recruiting talent. One employer specifically stated they were seeking CSN students to staff a new location opening in the Las Vegas Valley.

To ensure students made the most of the experience, Career Services created “Ice Breaker Questions” index cards to help them confidently approach employers and initiate conversations. The extra preparation paid off, allowing students to engage more effectively with industry professionals.

Opportunities like these highlight CSN’s commitment to hands-on learning with industry support and real-world experiences, CSN students are gaining the connections and skills needed to launch their careers.