FULLERTON, Calif. - The Cal State Fullerton Athletics Department hosted the inaugural Fullerton Athletics Career Expo (FACE) Monday at Titan Gym.

There were 144 student athletes in attendance at FACE and 48 different companies.

“All in all the Fullerton Athletics Career Expo was a great success," said Pam Newton, Life Skills Coordinator and FACE organizer. "Many employers complimented the athletes on their communication skills, their resumes and their overall preparedness.  I was extremely pleased with the event and commend the various Titan Athletic sub-departments that played a vital role in the success of the event: Academic Services, Marketing, Athletics Digital and Print Media, Athletics Gym Facilities”

In addition to the businesses, FACE collaborated with seven other departments and areas of the Cal State Fullerton campus including the CSUF Career Center, College of Health and Human Services, Mihaylo Business Leadership Center, College of Communications and the College of Education.

"It’s pretty interesting to be able to come to this expo because not many athletes are able to go to career expos or other workshops outside of school and basketball or sports in general," women's basketball senior Natalie Williams said. "It’s really helpful and it shows that our athletic department cares about us and wants us to succeed beyond graduation and in our careers."

FACE, supported by Athletic Director Jim Donovan, was designed as an opportunity for student-athletes at Cal State Fullerton to network and engage personally with prospective employers and help prepare for life after their time at Cal State Fullerton.

"I think this event is a good opportunity for the student-athletes on campus to get their foot in the door and be able to potentially make that connection with a local business or company and help them get a job once they get out of college," track and field senior Daniel Walker said.

Nearly 50 companies were present at FACE including Federated Insurance, NorthWestern Mutual, Buckeye International, EM Speed, LLC and Sungevity. Representatives from local law enforcement and military were also in attendance, which attracted a number of athletes.

"I was always leaning toward the police departments," women's soccer senior Rebecca Wilson said. "My dad’s a sheriff so I went and talked to the Sherriff's department. It's (FACE) been very nice. It’s good to be out here and know that the athletic department cares about us and wants us to progress farther than just our athletic careers so that’s definitely very warming."

Former Cal State Fullerton student athletes were also in attendance representing their businesses. Former women's basketball player Lyndsey Grove was in attendance with 511 Tactical, which makes apparel accessories for law enforcement, military and fire personnel. Grove was grateful for the opportunity to come back to Fullerton and offer counsel to the current batch of student athletes.

"I think it’s great," Grove said. "I really wish they had something like this when I was an athlete. I think it’s really beneficial for the student athletes to get face time with employers, practice interviewing, networking and being able to show off their resume. I think it’s awesome."

Former Cal State Fullerton football player Danny Pasquil was also in attendance representing the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. He was glad to help provide the student athletes at FACE with viable information, although the first inquiry he typically received was about something else.

"People are asking about federal jobs," Pasquil said. "I’m giving them the federal website and I’m also giving them things they need to know once they become an employee whether it be with the federal government or with the private sector and the laws that can protect them."

Pasquil also thought FACE was a great idea and wished something like it was around when he played at Cal State Fullerton and also thinks potential employers benefit from an event like FACE to be able to talk to a talent pool that have qualities employers are looking for.

"When I was here in the early nineties we didn’t have anything like this that would’ve been beneficial to the student athletes," Pasquil said. "Not only are you creating networks but you’re able to really reach out to the current student athletes and guide them through what is going to happen when they graduate. I think student athletes have an advantage because of their work ethic. They are out there grinding on the court or on the field daily preparing for the season and that’s what employers need to see. They need to see someone who is goal oriented and willing to go above and beyond to be successful."

Along with businesses, student athletes also had the chance to speak with four colleges at Cal State Fullerton on how to expand on their education or how to use their skills acquired in the classroom to succeed after Fullerton.

"I’m a communications major," Williams said. "For the College of Communications, I talked to one of the professors who was previously a news anchor. A lot of athletes go on beyond that and become anchors or sports people so that’s pretty cool."