This Valentine’s Day the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement will give Texas A&M University-San Antonio students and alumni the opportunity to meet with nearly 50 employers offering employment and internships.
The Career Fair is scheduled for 1-4 p.m., Feb. 14 in the Central Academic Building, Vista Room 402.
The Career Fair welcomes a variety of employers including Ernst & Young, GM Financial, Drug Enforcement Administration, Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio, Enterprise Holdings, National Security Agency and other regional employers.
Director of Career Services Karen Ivy encourages students to attend regardless of whether or not their desired company will attend. She encourages students to get information on internships, practice networking and introduce themselves to potential employers. Recruiters usually know other recruiters, so students never know who they might meet, Ivy said.
“One question I get asked is, ‘Is it just for seniors and alumni?,’” Ivy said. “And I would suggest more than that, go.”
Career fair organizers spend time ensuring employers and internship agencies give students a valuable experience.
“We really try to screen who we work with and make sure these employers are giving you an experience that you can put on your resume and that you build relevant skills so that it makes you more hirable before you graduate,” Ivy said. “Sophomore and junior year is a great time to start looking.”
Even first year students can benefit by attending the fair.
“Don’t wait until you’re a senior. Get familiar with it,” she said. “It’s your time to get more comfortable talking to employers. The earlier you do it, the better you’ll be.”
Ivy said employers ask her about specific students who attended previous fairs and caught their attention.
Ivy suggests researching employers before attending. Instead of pulling out your phone and Googling an employer while engaging in conversation, try and do this beforehand. Walking up to employers knowing things like their mission, values, what makes them unique and asking if they can tell you more about it will make you catch their attention.
The Mays Center hosted Prep for Success 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 6., which allowed students to have resumes reviewed, get tips on “how to dress to impress” and get business cards.
Prep for Success also opened Button Up: Career Clothes Closet to students who do not own professional attire. The closet contains free professional clothing and a range of sizes for men and women to prepare for the upcoming fair.
Students can log into Handshake, the university’s internship and job portal connection, and look at the list of employers attending.
“It is such a simple thing, but it really makes a different conversation,” Ivy said of students who follow this tip.
For dates and times of future fairs and events, check out events in Handshake. For more information about the fair, contact the Mays Center at 210-784-1356.
