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FGCU grads create connection building platform just for students

Photo by Nathan Lueken. Fieldrs founders, Natalie Finazzo & Connor Firmender.
Photo by Nathan Lueken. Fieldr’s founders, Natalie Finazzo & Connor Firmender.

Fieldr is a web-based platform that bridges the communication gap between students and employers/recruiters.
The platform was created by two 22-year-old Florida Gulf Coast University graduates, Natalie Finazzo and Connor Firmender.  Fieldr originated in FGCU’s School of Entrepreneurship when the two were seniors.
The entrepreneurship program is the fastest growing major at the school and was recently named the no. 1 entrepreneurship program in the state by The Princeton Review.
Fieldr helps students find any type of experiential learning; whether that be a part-time job, a full-time job, an internship, volunteer opportunities, project-based or course-based learning, subcontracting, apprenticeships, etc.
“I realized that myself and my peers were lacking in some of the qualifications that a lot of the jobs we were looking at applying for after graduation required when we were in our senior year,” Firmender said.
This, among other things, gave the two the idea to start their own platform that’s user friendly for students and recruiters alike.
The website (Fieldr.app) launched just this September and the Fieldr smartphone app is set to be released in early Spring. In just five months, the platform has over 300 student users and over 50 businesses (for profit and nonprofit).
“There’s so many local opportunities that aren’t available anywhere else and we’re so proud of that,” Finazzo said.
Initially, Fieldr was only available to college students and employers in the Southwest Florida area. In early 2020, Fieldr will expand to all twelve Florida regional colleges; FSU, UF, FAU, UCF, FPU, UNF, UWF, NCF, FGCU, FIU, and FAMU.
The Fieldr team conducted a survey for FGCU students about the university’s CareerLink. Many of the students who were surveyed said that they used CareerLink only to enter the necessary service-learning hours and looked for internships/employment elsewhere. According to Firmender, about 90% of students wished that there was a better option for finding opportunities while still in college. The Fieldr team believes that their platform is that option.
“What differentiates us is that we personally match students to employers,” Finazzo said. “So, when they submit their profiles and have something in their bios or resume that mentions what they want to do, we send them to employers that are looking for that. We encourage students to be as specific as possible so that we can help them find what they’re looking for.”
Finazzo and Firmender are personally invested in the success of the students and organizations that use their platform.
As a student, you’re able to search and filter through opportunities and employments that are tailored to your goals and interests. It’s incredibly user friendly. Simply search through opportunities and if you find one that is what you’re looking for, click the “contact” button and initiate a conversation.
Fieldr is always free for students and free to employers/recruiters unless they choose to sign up for a Sapphire or Emerald Premium Plan. The Basic Plan for employers allows one posting per month, one user account, and one match a month. The Sapphire plan allows 5 postings a month, 5 user accounts, and 5 matches a month. The Emerald Premium Plan allows for unlimited postings, unlimited user accounts, unlimited matching, and a Fieldr account manager.
Fieldr’s main focus is on helping college students get the experience they need to start their career while still in college, so that they’re employable in the field of their choice upon graduation. Their mission is to provide an opportunity for learning, growth and success for all.

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