The second annual Business Career and Internship Fair was held in the Eynon Ballroom at the Chamberlain Student Center on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m.
There were around 65 employers at the event, allowing the nearly 500 students in attendance to speak, network and pitch themselves.
Elisabeth Parker, the employer relations associate for Rowan University’s Rohrer Center for Professional Development, shared that student turnout had a significant increase since the last business career fair that took place the previous spring semester. Alumni and faculty were also present. They volunteered in order to help with the event and support students navigating the fair.
Amie Ryno is the manager of the Rohrer Center for Professional Development.
“It is incredibly important for students to come to career fairs to network and find internships and jobs. And I’m thrilled with the turnout,” said Ryno.
This year’s career fair also saw new employers, including Campbell Soup Company, which Parker said was a major draw for this year’s attendees.
Several employers had Rowan alumni present at tables to speak with students along with other staff and recruiters to relate to students and demonstrate what future careers are possible for Rowan students.
“I had a great time at Rowan’s career fair. Students are prepared, engaged and enthusiastic to connect. It was organized and put together well,” said Carolyn Cover, a Rowan alumnus now working for Northwestern Mutual.
Events had been prepared the week before to ensure students had the necessary skills and supplies to successfully begin networking and handing out resumes.
The RU Ready Fair, which is held every semester, took place two days before the Business Career and Internship Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parker said about 20 alumni and faculty turned out to show support.
Events included resume review, a “Dress for Success” station where students could take donated suit pieces, a 30-second pitch station for students to practice how they would introduce themselves and make an impression to employers, and a mock career fair: where three companies that had agreed to sponsor the event sent out recruiters to give students an opportunity to get more comfortable with speaking to professionals in a career fair setting.
Talia Covney is a senior business management major who attended the RU Ready Fair.
“I was nervous at first, but once I went up and decided to talk to people, I got a lot more comfortable… Whether I get something or not, this was a good experience. Regardless of what year you are, everyone should go to get that experience,” said Covney.
Besides doing research on employers before the event, having 10- 15 copies of a polished resume on hand and dressing as if one is going to an interview, Ryno and Parker both recommended that students follow up with employers after career fairs, specifically by sending “thank you” emails and applying to job and internship openings when they arise.
The Center for Professional Development has an upcoming Headshot Day planned for Thursday, March 9, and a Virtual Mock Interview Week scheduled for March 27- 31.
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