Career Services to sponsor Career Fair

Career Services will be sponsoring the 21st Annual Career Fair for students to explore potential career and internship options on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The Career Fair will have 85 businesses and organizations to speak with students about potential entry-level jobs, internships and graduate schools. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Riverview Ballroom in the University Center.

“We do have a lot of new organizations coming and a lot of old-faithfuls returning,” said Elizabeth Byers, Career Fair coordinator.

Some of these businesses and organizations include: Target, Wal-Mart, Minnesota Department of Revenue, Grassland Dairy Products as well as graduate schools ranging from the Twin Cities to New York.

“Last year we had 534 students attend so it’s my plan to beat that this year,” said Byers.

She explained that previous career fairs have been aimed primarily at agriculture students but this year she has made it her own goal to reach out to other students on campus. Roughly 12,000 emails were sent out to different organizations and businesses that were listed in a database for Career Services in hopes of gaining a large variety of potential employers for students.

“We filled up a lot faster than last year. We already have a waiting list of seven but we just don’t have enough space,” said Byers about the organizations and businesses looking to take part in the fair.

Students are encouraged to research the organizations and the positions they have to offer before attending. Students can find tools on the Career Services website as well as Hire-A-Falcon to guide them in the right direction.

For senior and agricultural business major with a marketing communication emphasis, Anne Moore, attending the Career Fair every year since she was a freshman was important.

“I’m definitely planning to attend again, it’s a really great thing to go to and I will be looking for a full-time job as I do graduate in May,” Moore said.

The Career Fair has provided her with two internships over the past few years. One of which was with Growmark in Woodstock, Ill. this summer.

“Just being as professional as you can be and being prepared and being confident can really help you get a job,” said Moore.

Moore suggests that while speaking with the businesses, it is important to get their business cards and write a thank you for their time, even if it is just for meeting them because it will make you more memorable. She also recommended making business cards or, depending on the job you are interested in, a portfolio.

Byers explained that students should come dressed professionally and come prepared with multiple copies of their resumes. Students should also be sure to come to the prep sessions and help desks that are available before the Career Fair.

There will be a Career Fair Prep Session from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15 and there will also be two Career Fair help tables from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Monday, Oct. 15 and Tuesday Oct. 16 at Heritage Hall in the UC. These events will provide resume critiques and dressing for success tips, along with any other questions you may have.

“I met with peer advisors and had them help me out with my resume before I went to the career fair,” Moore said. “They are very helpful and I think they really know what things to look for and help you out so you are able to market yourself to companies as you go through the career fair.”

The Career Fair is important for all students because it provides an opportunity to meet with potential businesses they could work for in the future. It is also an excellent idea for those who are unsure about their majors to attend because you can take a look at different career possibilities.