Air Clear Head of Marketing Steve O’Connor isn’t technically a Blue Hen, but the University of Tennessee alum’s roots are close enough to campus to count for something.
“I was born in Wilmington, Del. and graduated from A.I. DuPont High School,” said O’Connor. “My father started our company in our backyard in Newark and my older brother is a Blue Hen grad, so I’ve seen my fair share of Joe Flacco touchdown passes thrown at UD.”
Now located in nearby Elkton, Md. within 115 acres of protected wetlands, Air Clear is a leading air pollution control company that proudly boasts their removal of more than three billion pounds of harmful air pollutants worldwide. Air Clear engineers, manufactures, installs and services customized air pollution control equipment for some of the world’s biggest companies.
When it came to recruiting new engineers, O’Connor set his sights locally on his brother’s alma mater and attended the Spring Career & Internship Fair on February 15, 2024.
“I chose to attend the career fair at UD because of the University’s strong reputation in engineering and environmental sciences,” said O’Connor. “The quality of the students and their alignment with our company’s needs make UD a prime location for recruitment.”
Nearly 200 employers were vying for the attention of 1,500 student job seekers at this year’s spring fair, which created friendly competition between companies.
“Air Clear had a table close to the CIA, and I felt like we held our own from a turnout perspective,” said O’Connor. “We can’t make anyone the next Jason Bourne, but we can help students find a career where they make a tangible impact on our environment every day. Our experience was extremely positive and we met many enthusiastic and well-prepared students.”
But two students stood out from the crowd of eager attendees. Then senior chemical engineering major Nathan Coleman and senior mechanical engineering major and mathematics minor James Marsh connected with O’Connor and made a great first impression.
“I was interested in leveraging my engineering degree in a sector that creates positive environmental impact,” said Coleman. “Air Clear aligns with this aspiration perfectly, offering an opportunity to aid in the construction of pollution control systems.”
Coleman had prepared in advance of the fair by having his resume reviewed at a UD Career Center event, researching the companies he was interested in and practicing his elevator pitch.
“I needed a job and believed the fair was a good environment to meet with employers and learn about the companies, all while putting a face to my name,” said Coleman.
Marsh echoed the same sentiment, having attended multiple career fairs throughout his time at UD.
“I have a good resume; however, compared to most people in my major, it’s pretty average,” said Marsh. “If I send my resume to a company, I don’t feel confident that they will even read it. By going to the career fair and meeting employers in person, I’m able to actually have a conversation with them. There are certain things that can’t be seen on a resume that are just as important as skills and experience.”
O’Connor noted that the recent graduates impressed him with their enthusiasm and engaging conversation, secondary to their prior experience or resume.
“Of course, having a well crafted resume helps, but what’s more important is your follow-up,” said O’Connor. “We don’t expect anyone to have a long list of career experiences coming out of school. What I’m looking to know are things like, what projects have you worked on? Where do you see yourself? Can you articulate your academic experiences and show me how you could apply that knowledge to real world problems?”
After their respective connections at the fair, Marsh and Coleman landed junior project engineer roles at Air Clear. They’re now responsible for designing and implementing emissions control systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and helping create proposals for potential customers, among other duties.
“We’re in the very early stages, but our new hires from UD have performed exceptionally well,” said O’Connor. “They have quickly integrated into our team, brought fresh perspectives and demonstrated strong problem solving skills.”
For students interested in emissions control technology, O’Connor has plans to return to UD to represent Air Clear at the 2024 Fall Career & Internship Fair on September 12 and is always looking for new talent at the rapidly growing company. He encourages job seeking students to take a page from Marsh and Coleman’s book and research Air Clear ahead of the fair.
“Start simple by visiting our website and learn about who we are and the products that we make,” O’Connor said. “During the application and interview process, demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with our goals. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your problem solving abilities. A well prepared candidate who can clearly articulate their value to Air Clear will always stand out.”
Even more crucial is being honest about your experience, or lack thereof.
“It’s okay to say you don’t know something; we don’t expect you to understand everything about our industry, as it’s a very hyper specific field,” said O’Connor. “Saying something like, ‘No, unfortunately I don’t know that, but here are the steps I would take to try to figure out the best answer,’ will go a long way in an interview.”
Reflecting on his recent success, Coleman offered a few extra tips for students to nail the job search and keep organized.
“Staying relevant is crucial when applying for jobs. Some companies can receive as many as a hundred applicants, meaning your application can easily get buried under a pile of other people’s names,” Coleman said. “Sending follow-up emails can be a great way of staying relevant in the eyes of the employer. Put effort into keeping track of the places you’re applying to by creating a simple spreadsheet with the company, date applied, follow-up date and point of contact information.
“Go to the career fair,” Coleman continued. “Dress nice, bring plenty of resumes and prepare a quick pitch.”
Marsh advised students to stay motivated on the job hunt, despite inevitable setbacks.
“Keep on looking,” Marsh said. “Don’t be discouraged when you get rejected—it will happen. Focus on what you can control.”
To learn more about Air Clear and potential employment opportunities, visit airclear.net. Prepare for the Fall Career & Internship Fair on Thursday, September 12 by completing the Career Events & Experiences module on your UD Career Center Canvas site.