Spring Break
Fair brings hope despite job market
Two-day long Career Fair attended mostly by graduating OSU seniors
Elia Unverzagt
Barometer Freelance Writer
|
Career Services is sponsoring the Fall Career Fairs, a two-day event, which will be continuing today, Oct. 22, with the Engineering Career Fair from 11a.m. to 4p.m. The fairs are held in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center and began with the all-university fair.
Representatives from over 60 companies attended the Career Fair. There is a wide range of information and opportunities available, including private companies, nonprofit organizations, graduate study programs and government agencies.
Holly Ostrom, a senior in finance and accounting, said she attended the fair to help her decide on a path for her future. Although Ostrom has attended career fairs in the past, this time she is looking to make a decision about her future.
"In a way, it kind of stresses me out because it makes me see how much is out there and it is a hard decision to make: graduate school, travel or start a real life," Ostrom said.
Two other current OSU seniors, Michael Norton and Ben Wagenblast -- both business majors -- were attending the Career Fair for the first time.
"The Career Fair has been really great. We have made a lot of contacts and gotten the chance to see what is out there," Norton said.
Wagenblast said he was attending the fair to find something to do after graduation; an internship, job or any opportunity. The two said they were discovering that what a student studies is not as important as their interviewing skills.
Recent OSU graduate Kevin Moser, now working in computer support at Weyerhauser, said he was connected to the company at the Career Fair during fall of his freshman year.
"I did internships for two summers with Weyerhauser, had an internship for six months and now have a full time job," Moser said. "The career fair is a great opportunity for students to find out more about a company than they can find on the internet. Students can throw out a resume and get a face to face meeting."
"From the employer's point of view," said Joanne Hanna, Human Resource manager of the Kroger Company, "it is one-stop shopping.
"We meet students from all disciplines and recruit for all types of positions. I really enjoy the enthusiasm of the students to continue on after their studies," Hanna said.
"The Career Fair is held to give students a time to connect, network and just find out about numerous potential opportunities all in one building, one day, in their own front yard," said Edie Blakley, Interim Career Fair coordinator.
Tom Munnerlyn, Director of Career Services, said that both Career Fairs are open to all students and he encourages everyone to come and check them out.
"Even though some engineering companies may not say that they are hiring anyone but engineers, it never hurts to see what the company is about and make a contact," Munnerlyn said. "It can also be useful for first year students to attend the Career Fair and see what kind of major could get them into the career they want or to find out about internships for the summer."
"The fair also gives students the chance to gain confidence talking to employers and researching potential jobs. It is beneficial for many reasons."
Representatives at the fair are contacted by Career Services, whose employees are always looking for more companies, more diverse options and more people to attend the fairs.
There will be Winter Career Fairs on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
"The economy often times predicts the size and turnout of the career fairs and we always hope that each one will grow more and be more successful then the last," Munnerly said.
To see a list of employers who are attending the Fall Career Fairs, visit the event website at http://www.oregonstate.edu/career/fair.
Elia Unverzagt is a freelance writer for The Daily Barometer. She can be reached at baro.campus@studentmedia.orst.edu or at 737-2232.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Comments by registered users are approved by default.