Rick Braden showed up dressed to the nines, armed with a portfolio complete with rsums, transcripts and references and looked to make an impression on company recruiters.
Braden was one of hundreds of U students who met with potential employers Wednesday at the Fall 2005 Career Fair, held in the Union.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet with several different companies at the same time,” Braden, a senior majoring in finance, said. “If I’m able to network a little bit and explore some of my career options, it will make things a lot easier when graduation rolls around.”
More than 110 local and national companies were present at the fair, recruiting students and highlighting the benefits of employment with their organizations.
The fair was unique because students not only gained information on career openings, but also had the chance to meet with employers face to face.
“It was nice to talk to someone who could answer all my questions right there,” Braden said. “Usually you’re trying to contact people by phone or e-mail, and it’s hard to get responses.”
Elliot Parsons, a senior majoring in mass communication, did his homework by researching companies and arriving with specific questions in mind. “I made a list of companies I wanted to talk to and got a chance to meet with each of them,” Parsons said.
He is hoping to find a position in public relations once he is finished at the U, and the Career Fair has given him a jump on the competition.
“You hear some stories about graduates taking months to find steady work in their chosen field. I feel a lot better about things now, and hopefully I have a head start on other graduates.”
The value of a college education is greater today than ever before, as the wage difference between college graduates and those without a college degree has never been bigger.
A report released by the Utah Department of Workforce Services states that workers in jobs that require no training earn an average of $9.80 an hour. Workers with associate degrees earn an average of $19.30, while people with a bachelor’s degree or higher make an average of $28.70.
Students not only benefit from increased wages, but also from increased opportunity as employers are sending recruiters to college campuses at a higher rate than they have in the past. Career fairs have been put on by U career services the past couple of years, and the employment rate among U graduates has never been higher.
Career Services reports that 35 percent of graduates have job offers at the time of graduation. Another 30 percent continue their pursuit of further education, while the remaining 35 percent work an existing job while seeking their first professional position. “Most students spend a lot of time studying and preparing for classes, but it doesn’t mean anything if they don’t have a plan for life after school,” Parsons said.
With the economy and employment market constantly changing, one thing remains certain. Education and preparation are some of the best investments students can make. “The job market is very competitive, so I’ll take any advantage I can get,” Braden said.