Yesterday afternoon, a line of professionally attired students waiting to be admitted into the UW Spring Career Fair stretched from the reception area of the HUB Ballroom, down the stairs and out the door, almost reaching Thomson Hall.

Hosted by the UW Career Center, the career fair was an opportunity for students seeking employment to meet and talk with various local companies that are currently hiring. Most of the available positions are internships or entry-level, with potential for advancement. While the Career Center and the employers in attendance mostly focus on UW students — graduating seniors in particular — people from the greater Seattle community attended as well.

“It’s not really open to the public, but we haven’t turned away any community members who show up,” said Nick Morse, UW Career Center communications specialist. “We haven’t had to — only about 1 percent of the people who show up are [non-UW]. Our commitment, first and foremost, is to the UW and its students.”

Last year, the Career Center saw about 2,000 students show up for the fair. Given the job market, Morse said, logic predicts that they’ll see greater numbers this year when the final counts are made.

As for the students who came to the job fair, most seemed to be open to whatever caught their attention.

“I’m not exactly looking for an internship; I’m just trying to find a job during the recession,” said senior Ryan Perkins, a communication major. “I’m just here exploring to see if there’s any opportunity.”

While Perkins expressed concern about the effect of the economy on the job market, he is still hopeful.

“I’m nervous, but there’s still opportunity out there,” he said. “People find ways.”

About 100 employers came to the career fair, representing a wide variety of industries, from airlines and finance to the Armed Forces and software.

Microsoft representatives were in attendance, but not to recruit; the company has recently been working on a campaign to help prepare students for the interview and résumé procedures that go along with finding a job. In conjunction with Monster.com, Microsoft has developed a Web site that allows students to post résumés and look for positions.

Of the attendees who weren’t UW-affiliated, several were students from other universities in Seattle, as well as faculty members from other schools looking to organize similar events.

Some UW faculty members showed up, too. Karen Teal, an assistant professor of technical communication, said she came to introduce her students to the employers she knows, making sure they make connections.

“Everybody should be looking for an internship right now — everybody,” Teal said. “Even if they think they’ve got things sewn up.”

Reach reporter Molly Rosbach at news@dailyuw.com.