Students will have an opportunity to connect with potential employers or find an internship or summer opportunity at the Career Fair on Oct. 7.
"It's probably the one day of the entire year where we have the most opportunities for students to see the kinds of organizations where we have direct connections for them, whether it be internships or job opportunities for the summer," Jeff Aupperle, dean of student success, said.
The event will be held in the LaRita Boren Campus Center and will feature employer booths that line all the way up to the construction area.
The Career Fair is not a formal event, and the conversations being held at tables are not interviews; however, the conversation may lead to an interview.
Students that are passing by are encouraged to take time and talk with someone that could lead to a good opportunity for them.
“[The Career Fair is] where the first step happens,” Aupperle said. “And then from the fair there's ongoing communication between you and the organization, and that's really where the interview and the acquisition of the opportunity takes place.”
Students attending the Career Fair for the first time should understand the importance of going to the Calling and Career Office (CCO) booth before engaging in any conversations with employers.
At the CCO table, students are given information on each table to determine which employers they should talk to. At this table, students will also be told what each employer’s requirements are and what majors are most beneficial for that employer.
"Stop by the CCO table first before going to any other employer table. Get access to the fair map and understand what each employer is specifically looking to hire," Nate Kooi, event specialist intern, said. “Just [be] aware of who is willing to hire who and…what major and skill sets they are looking for.”
The Career Fair was set up to include summer internship and job opportunities for a wide variety of Taylor students.
There will be healthcare companies, large corporations or organizations, ministries and summer camps.
“It's going to be as wide and diverse as our students’ interests are,” Aupperle said. “So that means it's going to, you know, have a lot of variety.”
The employers at the Career Fair are specifically seeking Taylor students to fill the positions in their company, organization or ministry because they are highly regarded in the workplace for working well with others and being skilled in their field.
Some of the booths are hosted by Taylor alumni who have had long, successful careers and are now offering a position where another Taylor student can do the same.
"These employers have paid money and said, 'I want to be at this career fair to meet Taylor students,'" Dirk Soughan, CCO data strategist, said. “It shouldn’t be intimidating at all and you should feel no obligation.”
Even though the conversations being held at the event are not intended to be formal, dressing nicely and bringing copies of your résumé will help students set themselves apart. Students are not expected to dress in formal attire for the Career Fair.
What’s most important about the Career Fair is a mindset of trying to build connections. Students should approach it as a time to showcase what they have to employers and connect as a person and as a potential employee.
“Try to set yourself up for success, and that means for one, bringing multiple copies of your résumé,” Kooi said. “Two, [set] yourself apart when it comes to dressing professionally. And then three, being willing to talk to people and talk to employers and make sure you show yourself as approachable.”
