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Printer-Friendly ModeAnnual fair connects students, employers
Over 100 employers represented at 2006 University Wide Employment & Networking Fair in O'Neill Arena
April 10, 2006 —
SVSU students and alumni had an opportunity to test the job market Friday at the 2006 University Wide Employment & Networking Fair.
Over 100 employers set up booths in the O'Neill Arena to promote their businesses and seek potential employees. Such recognizable names as AFLAC, Merrill Lynch, and UPS were on hand as well as local companies like Dow Chemical and the Saginaw Spirit. Several graduate schools were also present.
"I think it was great," said Wynn McDonald, assistant director of Career Planning and Placement. "We had a really steady flow (of students) and the largest turnout of employers that we've ever had."
One such employer was Cathy Jaruzel, the promotions director for Cumulus Broadcasting, which owns such local radio stations as CK 105.5 and 92.7.
"I've had some great interns from SVSU," Jaruzel said. "I find that they know what they're doing before they get there and they care about doing a good job."
This year's Fair was the third consecutive year she has attended, Jaruzel said, and that when she was given a choice of attending one of three job fairs, she picked SVSU's.
"(The Employment Fair) is well run," she said. "The Career Planning and Placement department for SVSU does a good job."
According to McDonald, this year's Fair registered 123 different businesses. Though a few did not attend, McDonald estimated that about 110 to 115 were actually present compared to the 101 at last year's Fair.
Another employer that was in attendance was the Saginaw Spirit. Interestingly enough, one of the Spirit employees at the booth was current SVSU communications major Bill Konesko, who initially began working for the Spirit as an intern.
Now, the 23 year old is a media and community relations specialist for the hockey team and says that all students should seriously consider some of the unpaid internships many employers at the Fair offer.
"Because of my internship, I got this job," Konesko said. An internship is very valuable because, not only are you getting real world experience, but you're getting an opportunity to make an impression and network with people in your future field."
Like Konesko, Clinton Township native Jeff Snay realizes the importance of an internship. The 20-year-old accounting major attended the fair to look for an internship and spoke with several firms, as well as the IRS.
Snay said he spent about a week preparing for the Fair, researching the attending businesses, practicing his greetings, and putting the final details on his resume.
Snay added that "you kind of have to brag about yourself" at such job fairs and that the ultimate goal is to make a good first impression to employers.
Stephanie Zientek would agree about first impressions. The employment specialist for St. Mary's of Michigan said that job fairs help put a face to the hundreds of resumes and applications they receive and can really help students, essentially, get their foot in the door.
"Because we've already had that first initial one-to-one interaction," Zientek said, "that goes a long ways and seems to really help in the process of hiring for our hospital."
In addition to the increase in employers, McDonald said he also expected an increase in students and alumni.
While final numbers are not yet available, McDonald estimated that between 800 to 900 students attended this year. In comparison, last year's Fair brought in 725 students.
"I think it's a good reminder," McDonald said, "that even though the economy is where it is right now, that there is still a number of employers that do have openings that want to meet the students."