Get Ready for 2015 Career Fair Season

Recruiting and Career Fair season has begun at JWU, and the university’s Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS) teams want to make sure students are ready to network with leading employers.

More than 1,500 employers visit JWU campuses each year, including career fairs and events geared to specific majors.

Maureen Dumas, vice president of EE&CS, recommends that students start prepping weeks, if not months, before.

But don't panic if you feel you need to do some extra prep. Remember: Any time is a good time to practice your job-preparation skills. EE&CS has an Open House prior to each career fair to help students polish their resume, prepare an elevator pitch, and practice interviewing.

Notes Dumas, “We work with [students] on interview skills. We work with them on how to research the companies, so they’re well-prepared when they come in here.”

EE&CS will help any student come up with a career fair game-plan tailored to his or her own career interests: “Have a strategy when you walk in the door,” says Dumas. “Target specific companies that align with whatever your goals are professionally.”

The long-term goal, she notes, “is to leave this event with employment, whether it’s a full-time internship or a full-time job.”

UPCOMING PROVIDENCE CAREER FAIRS

• October 22: Culinary Nutrition Career Forum
  Wildcat Lounge, 9am-11am
  
  Representatives from International Flavors & Foods, USDA, The Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine at Tulane and more will be looking for JWU interns, and possibly some part- or full-time hires. More than 100 students have already secured interviews following this event and more are expected to be added during the Forum.
  
  
• October 22: Food Service & Hospitality Career Fair and SEE Career Forum
  Wildcat Center, 10am-2:30pm
  
  120+ companies will be present, including Momofuku, Shake Shack, Jean-Georges, Marriott, The Waldorf Astoria, Priceline, Dunkin’ Brands, SMG, Newport Harbor Corporation, and more. 550+ interviews are expected following the career fair and on Friday, October 23rd.
  
  At 9:30am and 12:30pm, keynote speaker Buffy Filippell of TeamWork Consulting will discuss trends and career opportunities within sports and live events in the HAC Amphitheatre.
  
  
• November 4: Government/Nonprofit Career Fair
  Pepsi Forum, 10am-1pm
  
  Organizations include FBI, US Customs & Border Protection, Groden Network,  US Department of Agriculture and more.

Students are encouraged to research the full list of employers, as well as their career postings and interview schedules: link.jwu.edu > jobs & internships > career events