Students and alumni can work with mentors, hear from a New York Times-bestselling author and talk to potential employers at “The Next Steps Event” 10 a.m-3 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Vista Room and main hall of the Central Academic Building at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement launched the event this semester to offer a career education event that is accessible to any type of student and helps them take the next step toward their professional goals, said Brian Richardson, associate director of career services at the Mays Center at A&M-San Antonio.
“The Next Steps” event, which Richardson described as a “reimagined version” of previous career fairs, begins with a roundtable discussion at 10 a.m. in the Vista Room on the fourth floor of CAB. Mentors will help students and alumni write introduction speeches, translate military experience to civilian terms, find internships and learn to negotiate salaries.
Mentors include Mysti Frazier, assistant director for internships at the Mays Center, and a representative from City Year, a nonprofit focused on helping to recruit college students, Richardson said.
Attendees will enjoy a free lunch at noon in the Vista Room with author Lindsey Pollak, who featured A&M-San Antonio in her book, “Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of Work.” Published in March 2021, the book is about being prepared with the necessary skills and tools to succeed on one’s path to a dream career in an ever-changing world.
Pollak interviewed Karen Ivy, the Mays Center’s director of career services, about how the institution navigated its way through the pandemic and helped connect students to resources.
A recruitment fair with at least 21 employers is from 1-3 p.m. on the first floor of CAB in the main hall near the rotunda. Attendees can learn about jobs and internships at the San Antonio Zoo, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other companies and organizations.
Students and alumni can bring copies of their resume and business cards if they have them. Those who need help creating or refining their resume can schedule an appointment with a career adviser by calling the Mays Center at 210-784-1356, visiting in person in Suite 111 of the Science and Technology Building or logging in to the Handshake app, which students can join at app.joinhandshake.com.
Richardson also suggests having a LinkedIn profile.
He recommends wearing business professional or business casual clothing. If attendees don’t have anything to wear, Richardson suggests using the free Career Closet in the Mays Center, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Richardson recommends that attendees follow COVID-19 protocols by wearing a mask as the event is indoors. Social distancing will be implemented as well. He also advises to keep in mind that some people may not be comfortable with things like handshaking.
The university will host “The Next Steps Event” annually.
To register for the event, visit https://tamusa.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7179557.
For more information, email mays@tamusa.edu or call 210-784-1356.
Hailey McInvale contributed to this story.
