Career Corner: Upcoming job fairs mean easy access to employers
Now that we are in the heart of winter, it’s easy for your mind to drift to thoughts of a summer including warm temps and sun. Maybe your daydream has you at a nice quiet beach soaking in the sun with sand in your toes.
Now consider getting paid to spend the summer at a great beach resort not far from here. If you’re interested, check out the upcoming summer job fair on Feb. 21 in the Memorial Union Ballroom where you can find a summer job at one of many camps and resorts from all across the tri-state area.
For example, spend the summer at Fair Hills Resort near Detroit Lakes, Minn., or Madden’s on Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minn.
“ It could be the opportunity to do something that’s once in a lifetime,” Kim Teske, Career Center summer job fair coordinator, said.
Representatives from Medora, N.D., will also be on hand to talk about seasonal employee needs and available scholarships.
“ There will also be plenty of different camps on hand,” Teske said. “There will be roughly 30 companies and about 50 percent of them are camps of some sort.”
So now that you’ve decided to check out the fair this month there are some things to keep in mind to make a great first impression on those looking to hire.
“Although the dress is fairly casual, dressing up a little will really set you apart,” Teske said.
One little annoyance students have with some of the fairs is the need to wear a nametag, but Teske stresses there is a reason the Career Center forces it even if it seems unnecessary.
“ Nametags are an ice breaker,” Teske said “They help employers a lot. Employers consistently comment on how much they like the nametags.”
The other big fair coming up is the Spring Career Fair March 1 at the Bison Sports Arena. With more than 100 companies coming from across the United States, it’s a great place to meet recruiters as well as learn about companies and their opportunities for both internships or co-ops and full-time positions.
“ Have plenty of résumés and dress professionally,” Ann Sitzmann, Career Center assistant director, said. “You need to look professional — no backpacks, no caps and carry your résumé in a portfolio or folder — and be ready for an interview.”
No matter what fair you go to it’s always important to be willing and able to network. The Career Center is putting on two different events in February to enhance those skills.
The first is a nationwide videoconference with nationally known speaker and author, Don Asher, 3 p.m. Feb. 22 in Century Theatre.
The other event is a networking panel focusing on how to market yourself at a career fair. The panel will include professionals from Eide Bailly, Promersberger Co., the F-M Chamber of Commerce and Northwestern Mutual. The panel will be held 6 p.m. Feb. 27 in Memorial Union’s Peace Garden Room.
Both fairs are open to all majors and all statuses. The fairs present a great opportunity to make contacts and network with companies. You could find the “perfect” company that wasn’t even on your radar screen.
So take advantage of hundreds of employers all in one room, and no matter what fair you go to, make sure to bring your student ID.