By Natalie Crofts
Amidst economic difficulties engineering and technology students are being offered the opportunity to meet potential employers Wednesday in the WSC ballroom from 9a.m. to 3p.m.
“If firms come it might be their only appearance on campus this semester,” Jay Irvine, the college career placement advisor said. “It”s important for students looking for jobs to allow time to go visit as many companies as possible and get exposure.”
With the current economic situation companies are reducing hiring making it so that there are less jobs available for students after graduation.
“Students need to be open minded and flexible,” said Irvine. “They should be willing to go where opportunities are available, more so than ever because of the current situation. They may have to look at other geographic areas.”
More employers come for internships in the winter than they do for fall career fairs. Internships can offer students inside experience with employers they are interested in working for.
“Internships are more important than ever,” said Irvine. “With reduced hiring they will be drawing more from their internship pools. Students should use this opportunity as leverage for full-time jobs after graduation.”
Representatives from 75 companies will be at the fair. Employers will be offering technical jobs and range from Apple, Inc. to the FBI.
“We do this because employers are specifically targeting technical and science disciplines,” said Irvine. “We”re providing a more tailored service for both employers and students.”
Students should come to the fair prepared to talk to potential employers, according to Irvine. Bringing a resume and researching companies before going to the fair is recommended.
“Many employers don”t want to coax students to work for them,” said Irvine. “Knowing more beforehand will make stronger impressions.”
Going to the fair provides students with an opportunity to talk to representatives from companies and learn more about their work environment. Students are able to get more immediate interaction than they would otherwise.
“Career fairs are good because they ask a lot of questions on the spot,” said Sayantan Ghosh, a mechanical engineering student from Calcutta, India.
Attending the career fairs can also give students a better idea of what they should work on before applying for jobs.
“I”m going to the career fair because I want to find out what they”re looking for so I can prepare well for work experiences and know which classes I should take,” said Keyvan Vasefi, an electrical engineering student from San Diego.
Typically several thousand students are expected to attend the fair. They are offered during fall and winter semesters.
