The recent increase in unemployment was enough motivation for Florida A&M University students to attend the bi-annual 2011 Career fair. Students flocked to the Civic Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to network with representatives from some of the nation’s top businesses.
More than 80 companies were represented at the FAMU Career fair. The only requirements from students were to dress professionally and bring a resume. Transportation was provided for students from the Set to the civic center via the FAMU bus system.
FAMU alumna Delores Dean supervised the career fair and is adamant about students gaining employment after graduation.
“We’re doing this for FAMU students so they have jobs when they graduate,” said Dean. “This is a very vital time to have a job.”
“The career fair was everything I imagined it would be,” Jadira Clark, a senior professional graduate student said. “The recruiters were very informative and friendly and helped me understand how great the opportunities are.”
Students scurried from booth to booth with resumes and business cards in hand looking for their next big break.
This semester’s booths were represented by some of the nation’s top corporations, including Ernst and Young, General Mills, Boeing company, Caterpillar, Proctor and Gamble and Pepsico.
Junior accounting student Anita Punter said the career fair is a tool for branding herself to different employers.
“I noticed that each booth had different requirements. Some may turn you away, and others may not,” Punter said. “I continue to come every year to make myself more marketable when I graduate.”
Some recruiters were very receptive to the students and even more impressed with their professionalism.
“There is a very good candidate base here,” said Amica representative Deanna Hamilton. “FAMU students are very well prepared.”
Internships and on-campus jobs were available to underclassmen as well. Freshman business administration student Sharisse Dreher found the career fair beneficial as well.
“This was kind of scary since this is my first year but a great experience,” said Dreher “I’m going to apply for a job as a campus ambassador that I learned about today.”
The career fair is held bi-annually in the fall and spring of each semester. It is exclusively for FAMU students.
The spring career fair is scheduled for January 2012.