By Michaella Lesieur, Staff Writer
April is the month for job fairs at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as Jobs & Internships for the Common Good took place on Wednesday April 4, 2018 and the Annual Job & Internship Expo on Wednesday April 11, 2018.
Students from all majors were encouraged to attend both events which would help them not only learn the various types of jobs that are out there but network and explore. The Jobs and Internships for the Common Good ran from 2-4 p.m. in the Woodland Commons. Its overall aim was towards students interested in a “helping profession.”
Meanwhile the Annual Job and Internship Expo, which ran from 1-4 p.m. in the Tripp Athletics Center, was designed for a wide variety of employers. It was viewed as being like “a salad bar, lots of different employers and skills sets some looking for specific majors such as business or the sciences or those that had a wider range and would consider any major…” according to the Director for Career Development Dr. Lina Kent Davis.
This year’s events brought in a huge crowd of both employers and students. “I considered them to be successful. It helps students who are both job searching and those that might not be ready to explore their interests and connect with future employers,” said Davis.
Davis remembers one student who was doing just that, “There was one student who was not ready to job search yet and was just collecting information; however, he made a point to talk to the company each time they were here so when he is ready to work for them he would be prepared.”
Even if you are not looking for a job this example proves to show how important it is to start thinking about the future early. However, it does not end at the job fair. “Job fairs can act as an introduction, the beginning development, a place where you can collect a business card. From there you can update your resume with the job description and specialized skills set making it easier for the employers to put the name to the face,” said Davis.
For some students, the benefit of attending landed them an interview which is just about any senior’s dream. Senior psychology major Malinthi Fernando’s experience with the job fair is something she will never forget and encourages other students to take advantage of equal opportunities. “Landing an interview right after the job fair was not only relieving, but self-fulfilling. I never would have imagined getting an interview so quickly without using the resources on campus,” said Fernando proudly.
Starting early reduces stress and shows companies that you care and you are interested. “The career development center has so many opportunities (some that I regret not taking advantage of sooner) where students can get help with all sorts of career related questions,” said Fernando.
Job fairs are trending and provide students with an ample opportunity to sell themselves. “More students should attend job fairs because employers are always looking for people, or else they wouldn’t be there. It is also a great opportunity to build your resume even more with internships or entry level jobs,” said Fernando.
If you did not find what you were looking for at the job fair, a meeting with Career Development can help. “For students who don’t feel the[y have] any chances, we encourage you to make an appointment with us where we can create an individualized plan,” said Davis. “Don’t walk away, discouraged job fairs are a great learning practice.”
To make an appointment with Career Development, students can either call 508-999-8658 or stop on by in the Campus Center.