As we get older and move past the first couple years of college, when we can be carefree and socialize and have fun all the time, we are faced with the harsh reality that we are, in fact, going to graduate and live in the real world one day. We focus less on figuring out what party to go to on the weekend, and start thinking about getting internships and building up resumes. It can be a daunting task to try and find the best place to help you in your future career. How do you even know where to start to look? Thankfully for us here at Kent, twice a year we get the opportunity to attend a job fair put on by Career Services. I had the chance to check out this fall’s annual Job and Internship fair and even got to interview some of companies that come to recruit.
The Job and Internship Fair is held in the Kent State Student center, on the second floor and in the Student Center Ballroom. You check in, write your name and major on a name tag, and receive a map of all the booths and a packet giving you a brief description of the booth, including what majors they’re looking to talk to, what positions they have available, and if they currently have any open internships. I found the map of the fair extremely helpful; it was packed with students and in some places the crowds were so thick I couldn’t see the name of the company running a certain booth. In the middle of all the chaos, I had a chance to talk to Ann Motayar, the Director of Career Services, who gave me a run down on the event.
HerCampus (HC): What general information can you give me about the job fair that Career Services puts on?
Ann Motayar (AM): Kent State puts on two job and internship fairs a year, one during fall semester and one during spring semester. We have companies and business come from all over the state, and even a few from out of state. About 50% of the recruiters are KSU Alumni, so it’s nice for them to come back.
HC: How many students do you estimate attend the job fairs?
AM: We usually get about 1,000 students, which is a pretty good turnout.
HC: What do you think is the most beneficial part of hosting the Job and Internship fair?
AM: It’s a very convenient way for students to find internships. It’s easy having all the companies come to them on campus, rather than trying to go out and find an internship. We also have an option for students to come in and work with us beforehand where we teach them how to correctly approach a possible future employer and how to hold a professional conversation.
In addition to helping students learn how to have a professional conversation, there was also an option for students to have professional head shots taken for a LinkedIn profile, free of charge! With 140 booths from Target, to The Cleveland Indians, Rue 21, The FBI, IBM, and Allstate Insurance, there was easily somewhere for everyone to fit in. I got a chance to talk with representatives from all different companies. I got great tips from recruiters at Express: “I love when students tell us about themselves personally, like their interests outside of school and work. It makes them seem more interesting than someone who just lists off work experience”, and at American Eagle: “We typically offer internships to students in their junior year or above, but when freshmen and sophomores come talk to us, it shows great initiative and impresses us”.
As mush as we wish we could stay in college and have fun for the rest of our lives, we have to grow up and think about our future. Thank you to Kent State Career Services for putting on an awesome Job and Internship Fair, and helping all of us students make a better future for ourselves!