From left: Jordan Leboyer, Robert Sharp, Libby Sauerland, Eric Degenhardt and Marla Schleuder.

Organizers for the Kansas University Career Center were pleased to see a more diverse and bigger group of employers for the university’s annual career fair on Wednesday.

Overall, 88 companies signed up for the event, up from a figure in the high 70s last year, organizers said. A few manufacturing companies came back this year, along with members of the financial, telecommunications and retail sectors.

Though the weather forced a few companies to cancel, that didn’t stop a horde of job-seeking Jayhawks, who converged on the Kansas Union to meet and greet their potential employers.

Here are a few of their reactions.

Eric Degenhardt, senior from Great Bend:

I’ve talked to the FDIC and the Federal Reserve in Kansas City. Both of them seem to be interested in hiring, although the FDIC is in a hiring freeze for right now, so they have to figure out a way to hire people.”

Libby Sauerland, senior from Chicago:

I’m interested in internships in anything involving marketing, sales and media. … So far, I’ve talked with two companies. One of them was Kraft Foods, and I’ve already got a follow-up interview tomorrow.”

Marla Schleuder, graduate student from Eudora:

I’m an architecture student. … This isn’t an architecture fair, but I figured I’d come and try to find something in case the architecture thing doesn’t pan out.”

Jordan Leboyer, senior from Chicago:

A lot of companies want people for sales and cold calling. I’m not necessarily looking for that. … It’s been pretty nice, and hopefully I’ll be getting a call back sometime soon.”

Robert Sharp, senior from Victoria, Texas:

I’ve talked to a few people. They’ve been nice. … This is the first step for me. Fingers crossed, I’d really kind of like to be an actuary.”