Career Services will host its 14th Annual Career Exploration and Job Fair on Tuesday, April 2.
Manager of Career Services Matt Massie said the title of the fair is very broad; therefore, the career fields of the businesses attending are broad.
“[The] last one was the Life and Health Sciences Career Fair and it was specifically targeted at that industry, but even those industries need people from all academic programs. This one is more broadly focused,” Massie said. “So we’ll still see some life and health sciences employers there, but we’ll see a lot more engineering, we’ll see manufacturing, we’ll see business services, we’ll see law enforcement for Criminal Justice — we’ll see a lot of different groupings, which is why this one [has] more of a broad title.”
He said in addition to the businesses attending, there will be other universities attending as well.
“For students who are starting at Sinclair… It’s a great way for them to come in and meet with employers in the area and learn about different careers that they may be interested in or what types of careers are within our region… For those people who are just beginning their time here at Sinclair, it’s a great way to find part-time work while you’re going to school,” he said. “Now for those who are in their second year or are nearing graduation, this is a great opportunity to talk to employers about finding career opportunities for what you went to school for, to actually start to apply that degree in your chosen field. That’s what the employers here are looking for, those who are near graduation wanting to get out and begin their career.”
Although businesses are looking for people nearing graduation, it’s an opportunity to find part-time work and internships as well.
“These employers come here with the intent of finding those career-minded individuals, but we also have to keep in mind that those employers have other needs as well,” he said. “So it doesn’t hurt students, it can only help a student to come out and start talking. If they are in a position where they are looking for part-time employment, this is a great way to connect with employers.”
Massie said more than 60 companies are attending with intentions of finding people to hire, so it’s important to come prepared by planning ahead, researching some of the companies you’d be interesting in talking to, updating or preparing a resume, practicing an elevator speech, talking to all businesses in the room and dressing professionally.
“Employers make assessments about a student based on that first perception, which is what they’re wearing,” he said. “So they may be a wonderful candidate, but if they’re not dressed appropriately, that employer automatically starts to make judgments about them.”
He said in addition to dressing appropriately, it’s important to have a good attitude.
“I always encourage students to not only dress well, but go in with a good attitude,” he said.
“No matter what’s happened in the day up to that point, put a smile on your face, walk in, greet these employers in a professional, upbeat manner and it’ll get you a lot further than going in with a ticked-off look on your face and acting like somebody owes you something.”
The fair will be held in the Great Hall in Building 12 from noon to 3 p.m.
“Career fairs benefit students across the entire spectrum,” he said.