Students from the College of Arts and Humanities got the chance to talk to Eastern alumni about career opportunities for their major at the career fair Monday.

Eastern faculty and alumni from many different departments within the College of Arts and Humanities lined the Doudna Fine Arts Center lobby to present information concerning the applications of their majors.

Michael Compton, a 2013 graduate and theatre technology major, and the technical director for the Rose Hulman Institute, presented for the theatre department.

Compton said his major, along with his minor in business administration, prepared him to go into the theatre industry with many necessary skills to succeed in his field.

“Being able to look at the numbers, balance the budget and manage employees are crucial to what I do,” said Compton. “EIU really helped me to figure all of that out.”

Compton also worked on the crew at Doudna for two years, helping to put on around 200 events a year throughout his time there.

“That was my biggest opportunity,” said Compton. “I didn’t really have to get internships because I already had the experience I got from there. I was very thankful for that opportunity.”

Compton said it is important for everyone to follow their passion, and no matter what that passion is, there are jobs available for any area of interest.

Vernon Cisney, a 2004 graduate and philosophy major, is a professor of philosophy at Gettysburg College. There, he teaches classes such as Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Film and Contemporary European Philosophy.

“I got a lot of eyebrow raises when I told my family I was going to major in philosophy, and I haven’t regretted it a day in my life,” Cisney said.

Cisney said philosophy helps individuals think more critically about ethical, political and religious issues that arise in society.

“It prepares you for the ‘real world’ in the sense that it helps you understand some of the political and ethical debates we’re having today,” Cisney said. “It helps you to think how to make important decisions in your career, family and so forth.”

Caroline Egan, a junior English major, said the career fair provided a lot of resources for those majoring in arts and humanities.

“There were a lot of people with a lot of jobs that let me know there’s a lot I can do with my degree, which was really reassuring,” Egan said.

Egan said it was a comforting experience to get to know that her degree allowed for such a broad range of career choices for her to decide from.

“Major in what your heart tells you to major in,” Cisney said. “Follow your heart, and the rest will follow.”

Travis Moody can be reached at 581-2812 or at tlmoody@eiu.edu.