Job fair offers opputunities

The Career/Job Fair in the Jordan Ballroom of the SUB on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a valuable opportunity for students to learn about careers and identify employment opportunities. Students need to take advantage of any situation that may help provide a competitive advantage when they enter the workforce in a tighter job market resulting from a sluggish economy. Students graduating this year will be facing the toughest competition for jobs in many years. Some experts are now predicting this downturn may be with us for several years.

Students graduating in future years should also begin meeting with potential employers to make sure they have the best information with which to prepare for eventual employment. The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently surveyed major employers across the nation. The results provide a wake-up call for students expecting to graduate during the 2001-02 year. The study of major employers who hire large numbers of college graduates indicates that nationally over 30 percent plan major reductions in hiring of this year’s graduates compared to last year. For the West the situation is even grimmer with over 41 percent planning significant reductions of college hires.

This means keener competition for the jobs that will be available. The Career-Job Fair, sponsored by the Boise State University Career Center, is an excellent opportunity for all levels of students to establish contacts and network with employers, discuss internship opportunities, obtain information to solidify career choices, learn about the job market and career opportunities, and discover tips on what can make them more marketable upon graduation. Organizations attending the fair represent diverse fields such as health care, school districts, law enforcement, high tech, social services, retail, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, engineering, agribusiness, financial services, military, utilities, government, media, construction, and banking. Further information on the fair including actual names of the organizations who will be attending is available on the web at:career.boisestate.edu/careerfairhtm

The Career-Job Fair is just one of many services provided by the Boise State University Career Center to help students make informed career decisions, learn effective job-seeking skills, obtain actual job listings and connect with employers. Students can obtain valuable assistance in preparing resumes, cover letters and application forms. Participating in a videotaped practice interview critiqued by professional staff can enhance interviewing skills. Through the Career Center students can register for the center’s protected web site, BroncoJobs, to obtain positions to help cover college expenses, learn about internships, and access career employment listings. Graduating students can also participate in on-campus job interviews with employers who come to the Career Center. Students can visit the Career Center’s web site at: career.boisestate.edu or drop by the Career Center in the new Alumni Center across University Drive from Bronco Stadium at the corner of Grant and University.

-Richard P. Rapp is the associate vice-president for Student Affairs/director, Career Center Boise State University

Richard Rapp, Special to the Arbiter

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