The improved Spring Career and Internship Day will take place in the May Room on Feb. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.
“About 30 different employers will attend Career Day,” Career Center counselor Laurie Valentino said. “We don’t want students to be discouraged, so we’ll provide workshops throughout the day.”
In past years, students attended the event but left early because no interesting employers were present.
This new version of the Career Fair – renamed Career Day – will offer more opportunities for students to network with different employers.
Different workshops, including internship, externship and job search sessions will be held to educate students about the appropriate methods of pursuing careers.
Students are encouraged to dress in business attire and bring their rsums.
“The Career Center will aid you in writing your rsum if needed,” Valentino said. “We can help any student.”
The information sessions will allow students to directly ask the Career Center counselors any questions they have regarding the job market today.
This year, there are opportunities to interest everyone.
“I think this day is a really good idea,” junior Katie Gray said. “The people in the Career Center are really helpful. They really let you know that students are not alone and that there are people there to help you [find jobs].”
Students looking for anything, from summer internships to post-baccalaureate jobs, are strongly advised to attend the afternoon event.
“Some students are getting ready for summer employment,” Valentino said. “[Career Day] will be a great chance for students to enhance their interviewing skills and get to know employers.”
Some employers have allotted blocks of time in the early evening hours to interview students they deem potential employees at their companies.
Students will get a chance to meet with a variety employers.
Employers that will be present at Career Day include Xerox, Amazon.com, AIDS Rochester, J&L Marketing, New York Life, New York State Department of Labor and the William E. Simon School of Business Administration, among many more.
“There’s something for everyone at Career Day,” Career Center counselor Jeff Taylor said. “We’re moving from Career Fair to Career Day.”
“I think a lot of people will go who have their lives figured out,” sophomore Robin Athens said. “I am not going to go because I don’t really have a rsum or anything yet. It’s good to know that we have this when I get it all figured out.”
The National Society of Black Engineers founded the original event in the spring of 2001 and the Career Center has helped it expand.
“It has been a team effort,” Taylor said.
There will be an alumni panel sponsored by NSBE at 6:30 p.m. held in Havens Lounge in Wilson Commons.
This panel will provide insight for students looking into different careers from past UR graduates.
“Students who attend will be able to get a feel for what it’s like to work in a specific field,” Taylor said.
Many of the employer descriptions as well as workshop descriptions, and an overall preview of the day, can be found on the Web site http://www.rochester.edu/careercenter/students/careerday.html.
Buitrago can be reached at jbuitrago@campustimes.org.
