Oct. 21—WILKES-BARRE — Joshua Beeman seemed to like what he heard from Primetals Engineering Manager Richard Boone. The company "makes the equipment that metal manufacturers use," has several international locations, and is always working on something new.

"I'm very interested in seeing how things are made," Beeman said after the chat at one of many tables set up in Wilkes University's McHale Athletic Center on Thursday during a Career, Internship and Graduate School Fair. "I'm looking for internships," the third-year mechanical engineering student added. And metallurgy has always interested him, growing up near a foundry in Forkston Township, Wyoming County.

Primetals was one of more than 120 employers, business, organizations and graduate school programs that came to the building to connect with students strolling through for several hours. Wilkes Director of Career Services Carol Boyack said the idea is to students and graduates a wide range of potential contacts in one place.

The event was virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and limited the next year, so this was the first time since 2019 it was completely open with no restrictions. Boyack said there was a "lot of interest from employers trying to find the right person for their needs" this year.

Boone said Primetals decided to set up a table because "One of my guys is a 2013 Wilkes grad and he said 'You've got to go to Wilkes" for the event. Wilkes students, he added, are hard working and eager to get into the world and get to work.

That was certainly the impression Beeman gave. After three years of class work, "I"m very excited to get some hands on training," he said. "This is very helpful. I can see what's out there, and kind of get excited about the future possibilities.

Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish