SMU students and alumni got a chance Wednesday afternoon to meetwith approximately 50 perspective employers as part of the Spring2004 Recruiting Expo hosted by the Career Center.
“The most difficult challenge is getting face to face withemployers,” Jerry Alexander, the director of Career Centersaid. “The Expo makes this easier.”
Typically, the Expo attracts 400-500 students each semesterabout to enter the work force. Students are able to speak torepresentatives from each of the companies about potential full-and part-time positions as well as get the opportunity to turn inresumes.
“I found the Expo somewhat beneficial. I found four orfive companies to talk to about a marketing job,” SMU alumniJenny Thomas said.
Other students, like senior accounting major David Brumbalow,attended the Expo in hopes of finding summer internships in theirfield.
As part of the Expo, companies advertise what positions theycurrently have available. However, other positions may also beavailable.
“The really savvy student would come as a first-year tolearn what the companies want in order to get it in theirprofile,” Alexander said.
Companies attending the Expo are either invited by the CareerCenter or express interest in wanting to recruit college students.Jobs offered ranged from sales representatives to softwareengineers.
“We attend the Expo because there are a lot of qualitystudents who are well-prepared,” Don Peterson, arepresentative from Target, said.
Potential employers also offer students advice on entering thework force.
“Be yourself during interviews,” representative ofPower Properties Jason Keeler said. “The resume tells who youcan be, the interview tells who you are.”
While the Recruit Expo is typically aimed at business andscience majors, the Career Center is also hosting a CareerSymposium that will benefit liberal arts majors.
The symposium, to be held on Feb. 21, will have an SMU alumnipanel speak about the transition into the work force as well as aguest speaker who will give students advice on how to get jobs intheir field.
Workshops on how to improve your skills and find jobs will alsobe held at the symposium.
