Career week underway

 
Students and Career Service officials prepare for opportunity at the upcoming career fair September 12.  The companies that will be present Wednesday will have a large amount of opportunities to offer students.
Director of Career Services Tamara Montgomery, told of the many companies planning on being in attendance.
“We have about 60, and that’s about what we typically have,” said Montgomery.  Montgomery revealed how that is the usual number of companies from many different fields who usually are in attendance.
Montgomery spoke on the Welcome Reception for employers in which students are also invited to Tuesday evening.
“The welcome reception will give students a chance to meet with employers before the career fair,” said Montgomery.  Montgomery believes students meeting with employers before the career fair in a social setting will assist in talks at career fair.
Montgomery suggests students display best personal qualities to the employers.
“Companies want to make sure students are team players and self-starters,” Montgomery said. Montgomery also told of other important qualities companies look for are honesty, integrity, reliability, dedication, work ethic, friendliness, likability as well as having multiple skills.
Montgomery then denounced a rumor that certain majors are the only companies usually look for.
” A lot of companies are looking for all majors,” said Montgomery.  She discussed also that encouraging all students to attend career fair is a major part of a message by the career service office.
Another rumor denounced by Montgomery is that not many students gain jobs or internships from career fair.
” The student ambassadors of the career services department all received internships in the past,” said Montgomery.  Montgomery then told of how they will train other students to gain internships as well as jobs.
One of those student ambassadors is North Carolina senior business management major, Aaron Miller told of his experiences of the career fair.
“Through the career fair I have been able to receive four internships,” said Miller.  Miller then mentioned how these experiences have helped prepare to talk to executives of major companies.
Miller also spoke on how Southern University prepared him properly for these internships.
“Southern University has prepared me by teaching me to have drive and create a vision,” said Miller.
Students who do not feel as comfortable about coming to the career fair Miller thinks they should not be.
” I would say come, and be open minded because you never know what may happen,” Miller said.
Although some students are not planning on attending, Matthew Robins a junior education from Baton Rouge said he will be present.
” I will attend because basically I expect to see new corporations, and get internship opportunities.
Bunny Brezy a junior Mass communication from Baton Rouge also has high expectations for the career fair.
“I expect to get an internship,” said Brezy.  She revealed that she is very optimistic about the career fair.
Students who plan to remain optimistic about their planned attendance, however Montgomery believes all students should attend.
” Students should come and take advantage because these companies are taking their time to visit Southern University,” Montgomery said.
Students are advised to pre-register for the career fair in the office of career services as well as bring twenty copies of their resume. Student not in professional attire will be turned away.
The Welcome Reception for the career fair will take place Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 5:30pm in the Southern University Museum of Art.
The Career fair for fall 2012 will take place Wednesday, September 12, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the F. G. Clark Activity Center.
For information contact Southern University Office of Career Services at 225-771-2200.