Engineering Maine’s future: employers vie for UMaine talent

As companies across the country scramble to fill critical engineering and computing roles, one destination is firmly on their recruiting map: the University of Maine.

Employers say UMaine graduates bring dedication to the Pine Tree State, leadership skills and versatility that set them apart — and they’re hiring accordingly.

That demand was clear at UMaine’s annual Engineering and Computing Job Fair, where more than 150 companies turned out to recruit students and alumni.

It coincides with increased interest in these fields among Black Bears. Enrollment in UMaine engineering and computing programs — housed within the Maine College of Engineering and Computing — has grown 5% over the past five years.

Skills and dedication beyond the classroom

“They have the skills,” said Josh Hinds, senior manager software engineer at Tyler Technologies. “We’re looking for what a student has done on their own, outside of the classroom. UMaine students bring the dedication and Maine culture we’re looking for.”

UMaine is meeting employer demand, conferring 33% more undergraduate and graduate engineering and computing degrees than it did five years ago. That increase stands out to local businesses like Versant Power, which offers a wide variety of positions and internships.

“We offer electric and mechanical engineering positions, along with IT and customer service careers,” said Todd Gilley, talent acquisition specialist at Versant. “UMaine students stand out. We had 18 college interns last summer, and 17 of them were from UMaine.”

Independence and initiative drive success

Recruiters pointed to a common trait: UMaine students have initiative and independence that make them valuable employees.

“It’s authenticity,” said Whitney Bouchard, a 2013 UMaine graduate and project engineer at CMA Engineers Inc. “UMaine has integrity while teaching their students, and that translates into their work.”

Maine authenticity and culture have become core values for many of these companies as more of the state’s future leaders leave after graduation.

“We’re looking for people who want to stay within the state, which is usually UMaine students,” said Mackenzie Randall, university recruiter at Garmin. “When we hire them, we typically know that they’re going to stay.”

A strong connection to Maine’s future

That aligns with the university’s 83% retention rate among degree-seeking students — a statistic that doesn’t go unnoticed by employers.

“UMaine students are dedicated to Maine’s progress,” said Holden Rodzen, a senior at UMaine and intern at Central Maine Power. “They work toward advancement with open communication and open goals.”

Employers will return to Orono on Feb. 11 for the 2026 UMaine Career Fair — the largest in the state — held annually for UMaine and University of Maine at Machias students and alumni, students from other universities and the general public.

Story by Mello Vancil, news intern.

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu