Although the job market may seem to be dwindling, University of Alabama students looking to enter the work force can find company representatives searching for future employees at two career fairs held on campus this week.
This Wednesday and Thursday, The University of Alabama Career Center is hosting two different career fairs. Both events are geared towards giving UA students the opportunity to network with prospective employers while actively attempting to acquire a part-time job, full-time job or an internship position.
The General Interest and Business Career Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Bryant Conference Center. The event is not specific to a particular major and features representatives from Wells Fargo Financial, AT&T, Aflac and Kohl’s, among others.
On Thursday, Sept. 20, students may attend the Technical and Engineering Career Fair, which is more focused on students working towards an engineering- or science-centered degree. Similar to the fair earlier in the week, this event will occur at Bryant Conference Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the attending recruiters will have a more technical company background, such as Mercedes-Benz, Alabama Power Company, Chevron and Power South Energy Cooperative.
“We have over 80 companies registered for the General Interest Fair and over 90 companies for the Technical Fair,” said Linda Johnson, the director of employer development and relations for the Career Center at the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. “If you are looking for an internship or graduating this year, you don’t want to miss it.”
Students attending either career fair are required to have their ACT card for entrance.
Caroline Murray, majoring in senior marketing and public relations, is the public relations student assistant for the Career Center at Culverhouse.
“The biggest tip I have is to do your research,” Murray said. “If you really want to make an impact with a recruiter, show them you’re interested in their company.
“Don’t go to every single table and get a hundred free koozies. Pick a few companies and learn about them. Read more than their Wikipedia page and use the library databases. Once you know something about the company, you’ll be able to ask the recruiters intelligent questions.”
Students planning to attend the career fair should bring several copies of their resume to give to future employers and dress in a professional manner, Johnson said.
“Everyone is nervous for that first networking experience,” Murray said. “Come and get the nerves out now so when you are looking to land that dream job, you’ll nail it.”
