Today boasts the semester’s greatest chance at figuring out your field of study, networking with numerous companies, getting a step ahead of the crowd and perhaps even scoring that perfect job. The Career Center is hosting its annual Recruiting Expo today from noon to 4 p.m. in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Ballroom.
This is the only opportunity this semester to meet and greet with representatives of nearly 80 companies. That number is up from last year, when only featured 65 companies were featured.
The assistant director of the Hegi Family Career Center, Marva McGrew, encourages students to use this opportunity to “network with the employers, get to know recruiters and the companies through face time,” which she said “allows students to rehearse their one minute elevator speech.”
For those seniors out there who feel May looming but have yet to begin their job hunt, this is the occasion to begin a job search and feel more confident about the job market.
Credentials and good grades are important aspects of landing a job, but it’s the connections made through fairs like this that will get students not only a foot through the door, but a better chance to get hired.
This is Kemi Ogun’s second year coming to the Recruiting Expo. “Most of the people there are grad students but undergraduates need to utilize this resource as well,” she said.
According to Bradley Richardson, author of “JobSmarts for TwentySomethings,” companies “may not have an opening at that exact moment, but that can easily change in six weeks or six months,” not to mention that “companies want to be prepared by having a talent pool to choose from when the time comes.”
The expo is open to current SMU students and alumni, but remember to bring a student ID, transcript, diploma or other form of SMU ID. It is recommended that students come prepared with a resume and other application material, as well as in appropriate dress.
Upcoming events sponsored by the Career Center include a Feb. 15 event focusing on prospective internships and a Feb. 28 event where students can learn more about successful job searching skills.
Students can visit or schedule an appointment at any time with the Career Center office on the main floor of Hughes-Trigg to get a jump start on prospective job opportunities, polish up their resumes, practice interviewing skills and stay up to date with spring events.
