Students will once again have a chance to learn about potential careers and internships at the annual Hegi Family Career Expo. The event will be held in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Ballroom today from noon until 4 p.m.

The Career Expo, sponsored by the Hegi Family Career Development Center, allows students to network and have hands-on experiences with potential employers for both jobs and internships.

At this year’s event, more than 65 businesses in the Dallas area are represented. These companies come from various industries and range from accounting firms and banks to school districts.

Full-time and part-time jobs, as well as internships, are some of the many positions being offered by the various companies.

“Many of the companies are from business-related industries,” Assistant Director Marva McGrew said. “However, there will be employers here that are also looking for economists or people interested in public relations jobs.”

According to McGrew, the idea behind the expo is to prepare students for the working world.

At the event, students can experience a variety of industries and meet with representatives one-on-one from these companies. Students can also get a feel for certain expectations from companies.

“The Career Center offers about 1,500 jobs a semester,” McGrew said. “This expo is a more hands-on experience and can help many new students prepare.”

McGrew also has advice for students who wish to attend the fair today.

“Decide what industries you are interested in before you come,” she said. “Also, come up with a strategy for meeting people from different companies. It’s important to make the best use of you time.”

The Career Center also hosts other events throughout the year.

Last week, the center held mock interviews and “Resumania,” an event where employers critique resumes. There were also programs on selecting a major and how to prepare for today’s Career Expo.

Another Career Expo will be held in the spring, but the fall event is much larger in size.Today’s event is open to all students who wish to attend.

Professional dress and a resume are recommended for students seeking employment, and an SMU ID card is required for admission.

In addition, a complete list of the participating businesses, as well as other career information, is available at www.smu.edu/career.