The Hegi Family Career Center hosted a Career Fair Prep Day on Thursday in the Hughes-Trigg ballroom.

The Career Center wants to prepare students and alumni for the Career and Internship Fair on Feb. 14.

The objective was to teach students how to make a good impression on a prospective employer. The workshops particularly stressed preparation before an interview by doing research on the companies.

It was open to all students and alumni who needed help or advice about the interview process.

The day included workshops on reviewing resumes, long-distance job application and other aspects of finding a job.

“It’s a good place to start as a freshman or sophomore … even if you’re just starting your internship search,” said Hegi Family Career Center counselor Caryn Statman. “The more resources you can gather, the more comfortable you feel presenting yourself professionally.”

Seven counselors from the Hegi Family Career Center helped host the Prep Day and it featured an interview panel with seven outside employers. It included five workshops organized to provide information about the internship application process and give inside information about what employers search for in a future intern or employee.

The interview panel consisted of employers from American Airlines, Ameriprise, Mercer Management, The Richards Group, TXU, Stryker Imaging and One Technology. Representatives of each business gave tips about the interview process.

The Hegi Family Career Center spread word of the Career Fair Prep Day with flyers, posters, table tents, the Campus Central PowerPoint monitor in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, the career center’s Web site and by word of mouth.

“We are very pleased with the turnout today and the evaluations include very positive feedback,” Hegi Family Career Center counselor Janet Lewis said.

Students are also invited to discuss any of the issues covered during the Career Center Prep Day by making a private appointment with a counselor at the Hegi Family Career Center.

Information about the Career and Internship Fair can be found on the Hegi Family Career Center’s website at www.smu.edu/career. There is a list of all of the 86 companies that will be present at the fair.