Hundreds of Florida A&M students attended the rescheduled Career Expo in the Al Lawson Gymnasium on Thursday.
Wearing business attire, students exchanged résumés for opportunities with prospective employers.
Delores Dean, director of the Career Center, worked to continue this biannual tradition on campus.
“The Career Expo provides an opportunity for students and faculty to network and allows companies to tell students about employment opportunities,” Dean said. “It’s a win-win situation for not only the student but for the employers. There will be opportunities for internships and full-time employment.”
Dean has seen the progress of the career fairs over time.
“Last year we had 61 companies attend,” Dean said. “This year we had 63 companies registered.”
Some students visited both the FAMU’s Career Expo and the Seminole Futures Career Fair since they were held on the same day.
Ronnie Fields, a senior business administration student from New Jersey, wasn’t satisfied with his visit at the Career Expo.
“I think it would have been more helpful if the weather didn’t mess up,” Fields said. “In my opinion, FSU’s career fair was more beneficial.”
Maya Jefferson, a senior health care management student from Jacksonville, described the Career Expo as “empty.”
“There were less participants due to the fact that it was scheduled for today when the original day was yesterday,” Jefferson said. “The company representatives had to go to the FSU one because that was on their schedules.”
Jefferson was disappointed in the participation from companies. However, she applauds the Career Center for continuing the event.
“I was able to spend more one-on-one time with recruiters and representatives from other companies,” Jefferson said. “I’ve seen some great FAMU expos, so I know what FAMU can do. In the past there were more students and companies in attendance. Last semester’s was much bigger.”
Dean encourages students to take full advantage of the fall expo as well.
“They should definitely come back in the fall and be dressed and ready to network,” Dean said. “Our fall event is usually larger than the spring event.”
But Dean remains proud and encouraged from the spring expo.
“Overall, with the number of students and companies that came, I think it was a good event,” Dean said. “Of course, it could’ve been better, considering the circumstances with the weather.”