By Caitlin Murray
Need a job after graduation?
The Career Development Center at Buffalo State College will host its first full-time spring job fair March 8. The job fair will feature 50 local and national employers in industries such as technology, human services, law enforcement and health care.
Unlike the annual part-time job luau, the upcoming job fair will resemble a job interview. Students are expected to bring multiple copies of their resumes and dress as if they are going to an employer for an interview, said Mike Ramos, student employment coordinator for the CDC.
“The biggest difference is that the job luau is for part-time employment and it's very casual,” Ramos said. “We're outdoors and students can walk by and come and see what it's all about. But for this job fair … it’s a different atmosphere.”
Lisa August, associate director of the CDC, said the job fair gives students the chance to network and meet a group of organizations at one convenient time while making a lasting impression.
"A job fair provides something we like to ‘hi-touch’ rather hi-tech," August said. "Meaning that if you wanted to apply for a job with Citigroup you would go to their Web site and send an in application. (At a job fair) you're actually getting to meet somebody from Citigroup so it personalizes (the process)."
FedEx Ground Senior Human Resources Representative Amy Tyrpa agreed, saying students had the chance to ask questions and learn about the position before they applied. FedEx Ground has participated in various job fairs at Buffalo State for five years and Tyrpa said, even though she wasn’t sure of the exact number, the company has found a number of employees at BSC job fairs.
"Usually there's a lot of students that are prepared and they seem pretty interested," she said. "We have a lot of students from Buff State working for us already and they know we provide tuition assistance, so Buff State students work out well."
Other employers who are scheduled to be at the job fair include:
The CDC will also be hosting workshops the week before the job fair to prepare students who have never attended one. August recommends students attend these workshops to get the most out of the experience.
For a schedule of available workshops, visit the CDC office in 306 Cleveland Hall or log-in to Online Resource for Career Advancement.
“We’re encouraging people to attend one of the workshops because employers have certain expectations – in a good way. (The job fair) is potentially a powerful tool,” August said.
The job fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the student union. For more information, or a complete list of participating employers, call the CDC at 878-5811 or check out the CDC online.
Contact Caitlin Murray at murrca47@gmail.com
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