Finding a job or a career opportunity can be one of the most challenging processes in life for a college student. Between exams, lectures, studying, and extracurriculars,finding a job that aligns with your major can be overwhelming.However, every now and then a shooting star lights up the dark, desolate sky; an analogy that rings true with the Sonoma State Career Fair and landing that desired job.
The event takes place March 7 to 10a.m. to 2p.m. on the second floor of the Student Center. There will be over 90 employers present hoping to meet, network with, and hire SSU students and alumni. No job-seeking opportunity regarding job finding is as valuable as this event. Whether you want a part-time job while you finish out your studies, need to find that internship to pave the way for your future, or are in search of a full-time job, the career far has you covered.
Each year employers from far and wide as well as right in our backyard so-to-speak are eager to participate in this occasion. Jacob Lantis, a third-year business major and Employer Relations Lead at the Career Center, said in our interview, “The job market can be so competitive, especially for students, and Career Fest is in place to give our students a competitive advantage.”
Lantis noted that students who make connections at Career Fest often see a four times higher success rate with their applications.
According to Indeed, the average employer looks at one’s résumé for six to seven seconds; rarely are the opportunities to truly gauge an employer-employee connection on both sides of the coin so seamless. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), approximately 45% of students who attend a career fair receive an interview offer, and 25% of attending students are offered a job after the career fair.
Starting at 10 a.m. students will check in at the Career Fest front desk and obtain a map laying out the employers present and where each of their tables are located. It’s recommended to bring your resume along as a good starting point to begin the networking process with employers so that common ground and cohesion can be established. All attending students should wear business-casual attire in order to leave an optimal impression on the employers, displaying both professionalism and job readiness.
Jorge Alejandre-Martinez, a third-year Chicano studies major and Career Peer Advisor said, “The Career Fair is crucial to explore potential career paths, ask questions, and build confidence in a professional setting”.
Even if you are employed and satisfied with the current job you have, it doesn’t hurt to window shop and see what else is out there, you may just find something better! In addition to the Career Fair, the broader series of events known collectively as “Career Fest” are ongoing. Events such as resume workshops, software workshops covering resources such as Standout and JobScan, as well as an alumni panel will be happening on campus leading up to the fair. Your next career pathway may only be a conversation away!
