by Alexa Gerber
gerberal@mnstate.edu
Friday is the Minnesota State Universities Job and Internship Fair at Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, Minn. Students and alumni will be able to meet and network with over 100 employers.
“The Minnesota State Universities Job and Internship Fair started over 25 years ago,” Margie Giauque, Director of Career Services at Bemidji State University, said. “It was an attempt to bring a larger number of students and employers together from the state university system to connect for internships and full-time employment.”
Approximately 1,000 juniors and seniors from the seven Minnesota State University schools will be attending the fair. Students who register will get the opportunity to meet one on one with employers.
“In a recent study done on Minnesota Employers by Andy Ditlevson from St. Cloud State University Career Services, 95.2 percent of the employers said this is the number one way that employers recruit entry level graduates,” Giauque said.
As further incentive, attendees will be eligible to win prizes including an iPad Mini, Beats Headphones, a Fitbit and more.
The cost of the job fair is $30 at the door. Registration includes a nametag, lunch, a padfolio and transportation to and from the venue. Students can submit resumes ahead of time and see which employers will be attending online at mnsujobfair.org. Visit the Career Development Center on campus for more information and resume assistance.
Diane Wolter, Assistant Director of Career Exploration at the CDC, had some advice for students planning on attending:
Know in advance which companies you want to talk with.
Make sure your resume highlights your skills rather than the tasks and responsibilities you have been performing.
Bring more resumes than you think you will need.
Consider bringing more than one version of your resume.
Develop a short introduction, including name, major and two or three top skills.
Practice your introduction on your friends, including shaking hands, and handing them a resume. It all helps.
Wear appropriate clothing.
Collect business cards.
Make sure to follow up within 24 hours after the fair with any companies you are interested in.
The CDC will be holding a “Prepare for the Fair” workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. in MA 164, for students who need more information and preparation. You can set up an appointment with the CDC by calling 218-477-2131.