Purdue HTM Hosts Successful Professional Development Day and Career Fair During 2025 Professional Development Week

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Purdue University’s White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) wrapped up a dynamic Professional Development Week, held Oct. 20–24, 2025, with two signature events that brought students and industry leaders together for hands-on learning, career exploration and professional networking.

Professional Development Day, hosted on Oct. 20 and organized by the Ray Kavanaugh Career Center, connected students with representatives from 18 organizations who led resume reviews, mock interviews, and networking sessions. Participating companies included Actalent, Advocate Financial, Aramark, AstonCarter, Auberge Resorts, Cintas, Enterprise Mobility, Fairmont Chicago, Marriott International, Morrison Living, Nora Transportation, Otis Elevator, Purdue Human Resources, Purdue Presentation Center, Ryerson, Sherwin-Williams, Stryker and White Lodging.

“Professional Development Week is a powerful example of how Purdue HTM prepares students to become confident, capable professionals,” said Sam Love, director of industry engagement and professional development. “These events give students the tools, connections and real-world perspective they need to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.”

The momentum continued on Oct. 21 with the school’s annual Career Fair, which drew 73 companies across hospitality, business, sales, financial services, technology and more. Recruiters met with students seeking internships, full-time roles and graduate pathways, reinforcing the breadth of opportunity available to HTM’s diverse academic programs.

Participating employers included major global brands and regional leaders such as 4 Star Restaurant Group, Advocate Financial LLC, Aegis Worldwide, AJ Gallagher, Angi, Aramark, Auberge Resorts Collection, Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Beacon Hill, Breakthru Beverage Group, Buckle, Catawba Island Club, CDPC Sales Team, Centier Bank, Cintas Corporation, CoStar Group, Cummins, Dora Hospitality LLC, Drury Hotels Company, Eight Eleven Group, Elanco Animal Health, Eli Lilly, Encore, Enterprise Mobility, Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, Fischer Homes, Fitzmark, Four Seasons, Goosehead Insurance, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Harbour Trust Investment Management Company, Hormel Foods, Hotel Carmichael, Huse Culinary, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Insight Enterprises, Ivy Hospitality, J. Alexander’s Restaurants, Kandle Dining Services, Lafayette Country Club, LandCare, Marriott International, Meetings and Incentives Worldwide, MHG Hotels, Mitch Daniels School of Business Graduate Programs, Nemacolin Resort, Otis Elevator, Pappas Restaurants, Penn Entertainment, Pulte Homes, Randa Apparel & Accessories, Rush Enterprises, Ryerson, Saxbys, SDI Innovations, Sexton Companies, Sherwin-Williams, Spot, Stryker, Subtext Living, The MJ Companies, The Ranch at Rock Creek, The Walt Disney Company, The Whittaker Inn, TransUnion, TrueWealth Advising Group, UL Solutions, University Center, University Club of Chicago, Valeo Financial Advisors, White Lodging, and Woodstock Inn & Resort.

Held annually, Professional Development Week underscores Purdue HTM’s commitment to blending classroom learning with industry engagement – an approach that continues to prepare students across the school’s four majors for meaningful careers in hospitality, financial planning, retail and sales management.

The Ray Kavanaugh Career Center will continue to expand employer partnerships and professional growth opportunities as HTM strengthens its academic footprint in both West Lafayette and its future Indianapolis location, beginning in fall 2026.