Rob Kessler addresses marketing students

The director of employee communications at Enterprise Rent-a-Car urged students to start building relationships and networking now to ensure the best opportunities for jobs after graduation.

Rob Kessler, a 1989 graduate of Purdue, discussed the endless opportunities for communication graduates in assistant professor Jay Wang’s Integrated Marketing Communication class. Enterprise is one of the largest college graduate recruiters in the United States.

Kessler talked to students about the realities of the workforce. He stressed that in the communication field, building relationships and networking were key. When asked how to start networking now, Kessler urged students to join organizations and get involved now and not later.

Kessler, who has also worked at eLoyalty as director of internal communications and investor relations, told students to keep doors open and always enjoy your job. "Make sure what you do for a living is what you want to do," Kessler said.

Throughout his talk Kessler motivated and encouraged students to look at all opportunities offered to them.

"Mr. Kessler opened my eyes to opportunities that could be out there," said Jason Leeper, a senior in the School or Liberal Arts. "He made me realize I should consider any company and not limit myself."

Along with networking, Kessler advised students to get their writings published and continue to learn. These are key to letting employers know you are capable and you want to do the job, Kessler said.

"Mr. Kessler made me realize how important it was to get my writings out there for employers to see what type of work I can do," Leeper said.

Kessler left the students with a new understanding of the workforce and what types of activities they can do to further themselves in the job market.