(The Beacon)
By Hannah Kintner, Staff Writer kintner13@up.edu
Still trying to figure out what your next move is? Career Services is ready to help! This semester two Career Fairs are coming to UP, and whether you're a freshman, senior or alum this is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Follow these basic steps to make your career fair experience a success:
Know what to expect
Career fairs are opportunities for students to create first impressions with possible employers through face-to-face interaction. Companies most commonly send representatives from Human Resources to manage their booth at these types of events, meaning that attendants have the opportunity to meet the person who will likely be conducting the first or second round of interviews.
The ultimate benefit of a career fair is the opportunity to establish a relationship with a person from the company or organization you are interested in.
Find out who will be there, and do some research
It is important to research companies prior to approaching their representatives at career fairs. Find their website and understand what they do. It will be clear to a company that they are not your first choice for employment if you approach their booth with no knowledge of who they are or if you ask questions that could easily be answered by a quick glance at their website.
Know basic information about the companies you plan to approach and be prepared to explain what you wish to contribute to their team before arriving at the career fair.
Make a plan
Once you've done your research, it is time to decide which organizations you are most interested in working for. Career fairs can be intimidating, so strategize in order to minimize your nerves.
Plan to visit a couple booths before your top choice so you will have some time to get comfortable introducing yourself and chatting with representatives. With a little practice, you'll be ready to approach your top choice with confidence.
Present yourself well
Organizations will know you're a student from your resume, but hopefully not from your attire. You need to dress like a professional if you hope to be treated like one. A polished look also conveys respect for the organizations you approach and assists in setting a good first impression.
Speaking of first impressions, make sure you practice your introduction prior to attending the career fair. Get good at shaking hands, making eye contact, talking about your skills and explaining your internship, graduate school or career aspirations.
Know what to Bring
Get help from Career Service to create a resume that you are proud of and bring plenty of copies printed on resume paper. For organization and professionalism, consider investing in a basic portfolio with a pocket for resumes and a legal pad inside. This is the perfect way to bring notes with you and to take notes when speaking to employers.
If possible, leave backpacks and large purses at home. Career fairs can be crowded, so coming without a bag will help you maneuver through crowds and maintain a professional appearance.
Ask Questions and Make Connections
Ask questions that validate your genuine interest in each organization you talk to. Asking questions is a great time to demonstrate the research you have done and get an inside perspective. Consider asking the representative to clarify something you read on the website, or how he or she came to work for the company.
Don't stress over the fact that you have no experience working that particular job, but instead view your conversation with the representative as an opportunity to prove your potential.
Follow Up
Before leaving a booth, ask the representative for a business card, and take notes about your experience once you have left the booth. You'll want a good recollection of the interaction later on. Continue building the relationships you start with each employer by sending them thank you cards after the event. Follow-up is crucial.
The Engineering and Science Career Fair
When: February 22 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Shiley Hall
Who's invited: Students majoring in engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, math, physics, and environmental science
Opportunities: Internships, summer jobs, and full-time jobs
Cost: Free
Earn Free Admission to the First Avenue Career Fair
Students can earn free admittance into the First Avenue Career & Graduate School Fair by attending a "How to Work a Career Fair" workshop in the Career Services office. Dates for the workshops are to be determined.
Update your Resume
Wow potential employers with a resume that stands out. Attend drop-in hours at Career Services in the lower level of Orrico Hall for resume help.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday and Friday:
10 a.m.- Noon
Drop-ins are first come first serve.
The First Avenue Career & Graduate School Fair
When: April 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Chiles Center
Who's invited: business and liberal arts majors who are current students and alumni from the past ten years
Opportunities: Internships, summer jobs, part-time and full-time employment and information about graduate and professional school
Cost: $10
Organization attending First Avenue Career Expo:
2 Brothers Moving & Delivery
AAA Oregon/Idaho
Albertina Kerr
Aon
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metropolitan Area
Bridgestone Retail Operations
Buckeye International, Inc.
Cambia Health Solutions
CampusPoint
College Pro
Confluence Environmental Center
Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.
Copytronix- A Xerox Company
COUNTRY Financial
Edge Rods, LLC
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Express Employment Professionals
Farmers Insurance District 24
First Investors Corporation
Fisher Investments
Fund for The Public Interest
Green Mountain Energy
Hidden Valley Camp
Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest
KGW Media Group
LifeWorks NW
Marcus & Millichap
Multnomah County Health Department
Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division
Pacific Capital Resource Group, Inc.
Peace Corps
Playworks
Port of Portland
Portland General Electric
Samaritan Health Services
Scribes STAT
Senior Helpers of Portland
St.Charles Health System
StreamTeam
Target
The Oregon Bus Project
VTM Group
Washington County
WebMD Health Services
Youth Guidance Association
Youth Villages
Visit www.olapcfirstavenue.org for links to these organizations' websites and a list of attending Graduate Schools.
Companies attending Engineering and Science Career Fair:
Cooper Zietz Engineers
ESCO Corp
CampusPoint
Murray, Smith & Associates, Inc.
CBS Interactive
Airefco, Inc.
BIOTRONIK / Micro Systems Engineering
Garmin
Fast Enterprises
Daimler Trucks North America
Jacobs Engineering
FM Global Insurance Company
Harder Mechanical Contractors
Expeditors
Oregon Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Portland General Electric
Nalco
Rentrak
Clean Water Services
Allion
Cvent
US Army Corps of Engineers
Intel Corporation
PacifiCorp (Pacific Power)
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OFFICER PROGRAMS
UL LLC
Stanley Hydraulics Tools
Siltronic
Sherwin Williams - Purdy Manufacturing Facility
Visit studentcentral.com for a list of majors each company is seeking.
