Andrew Ruggiero has a good idea of what he wants to do in life – make films.

The Hendricken senior is not sure what end of the business he’d like to be in. He’s interested in photography and all that goes into making a film. The script writing end of the business isn’t on top of his list. He’s not averse to telling stories but imagines it could be pretty solidary without much interaction. On top of his list is the director’s job, although he doesn’t see that anywhere in the immediate future.

What he’s focused on now is finding the best match to pursue his dream career. 

That’s why Brandon Maxwell came under some pretty intense interrogation Friday morning in what was the state’s largest  college fair hosted by a private school. A total of 134 institutions were represented at the fair that filled the school’s two gymnasiums.

An estimated 350 seniors, juniors and sophomores attended the fair.

URI recruiter Maxwell had more than answers for Ruggiero. He gave insights into the program and how with proper approvals Ruggiero could check out $20,000 of equipment to work on producing a movie. He went on to outline courses and talk about the program.

Ruggiero shifted the questions to life on campus and how many roommates he might expect. Maxwell’s answer was one. URI will be on Ruggiero’s list of colleges and universities, but he’s still undecided on his first choice.

“This is an opportunity for them (the institutions) to market themselves,” said Christian Kabbas, school director of marketing and communications. He noted that some big state universities, such as Alabama were represented at the fair. From the student perspective, he said the fair had “something for everyone.”

New to the fair this year is the StriveScan app that -- with the use of a QR code -- enabled a student to upload their contact information as well as data otherwise found on a college application form. The system enabled students and institutional representatives to spend more time talking while giving both parties the opportunity to follow up.

“It‘s like a digital business card,” said Kabbas.

Free has a way of attracting attention and that was the case at the Rhode Island Army National Guard table. Sergeant Jacob Cary had an audience as he detailed how the Guard would pay the tuition of any of the three state institutions they chose to attend – URI, Rhode Island College or the Community College of Rhode Island – while pursuing civilian and military careers.

Henricken Principal Mark DeCiccio cited the college fair as proof of why the school is a sound investment.

“Hendricken men are a different caliber of student to colleges, and that’s why they want to be on campus each year to meet them. These admissions representatives start their recruitment season right here in Warwick,” he said in a statement.