First annual Opportunity Fair to offer local experience

UW-River Falls Career Services and Student Life are teaming up to create the very first “Opportunity Fair” to showcase a wide variety of job, internship and volunteer opportunities for students.

The fair will be held on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Riverview Ballroom in the University Center. Employers from River Falls, UWRF, Hudson, Stillwater and other nearby towns will be attending the fair.

A wide range of interests and experiences will be covered, such as the Peace Corps, Positive Alternatives, the River Falls Soccer Club and multiple camps, according to the Opportunity Fair website.

Amy Lloyd, the service coordinator for Student Life, said that this is a good way for students to be able to meet face-to-face with employers and explore many different opportunities in one place.

“It’s a one-stop shop,” Lloyd said.

The event is free and open to all students. McKenna Pfeiffer, the assistant director for Career Services, said she recommends that students bring a resume to show to potential employers.

“Have a resume ready to go; not necessarily for the on-campus positions, because they’ll have their own individual timelines, but yes, I would say it’s important to have their resume done and ready because some of these organizations will be ready to take it on the spot,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer also said that while there is not a strict dress code like there is at the “Career Fair,” it is a good idea to dress to make a professional first impression.

The Opportunity Fair will showcase some short-term jobs in the area that are more interest-based to give students a chance to put experiences on their resumes. Lloyd said she believes volunteer experience is really important to be able to put on a resume, which is something graduate schools and employers look at.

“When you leave UWRF it’s really important to be able to speak about experiences like these in your interviews for jobs,” said Lloyd.

In order to get the most out of the Opportunity Fair, Pfeiffer said she recommends preparing in advance by doing research and finding specific organizations to target in order to go in and know what to look for at the booths.

“Go online, look at who’s coming, look up the organization a little bit so they can figure out which places they want to target, spend a little bit of time figuring out what it is they are looking for,” Pfeiffer said.

The Opportunity Fair website has many online resources to help students prepare. Some of the points that are emphasized include exuding confidence, setting goals, and knowing how to interact with the employers professionally.

“Come with an open mind ready to learn, ready to ask questions, and there are some pretty amazing experiences that will be represented, should they choose to be open to the challenge,” Pfeiffer said.

For more information about employers that will be attending the fair, go to: uwrf.edu/CareerServices/EventOppFairStudentHome.cfm.