The Career Center is proud to host its Fall Internship and Career Fair on Tuesday, September 24, as an opportunity for students and alumni to explore internships and full-time positions, and connect with employers interested in recruiting them.
Over 100 organizations are registered to attend the fair and more are expected to sign-up. These employers represent a number of industries, including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, local businesses, hospitals, and government agencies.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers identify the top transferable skills employers seek in candidates.
“Because employers attending this fair are recruiting candidates for multiple types of positions, Redbirds from any major or industry are encouraged to attend,” said Career Center Assistant Director for Employer Relations Andee Radliff. “They may think career fairs are only for those in business, but that is simply not true. Employers are seeking candidates with a variety of transferable skills.”
Career Center Partners such as Caterpillar, Cintas, COUNTRY Financial, Enterprise, Liberty Mutual, Sherwin-Williams, and State Farm are just a few of the companies that seek Redbirds from all majors and industries as candidates for their internships and full-time openings.
In fact, the Fall Internship and Career Fair allows attendees to identify career opportunities that can help them develop the essential skills employers seek. According to Career Center Internship Manager Debbie Ungson-Walbert, internships are particularly valuable to a student’s career development.
“Most employers seek candidates who have gained some experience. Internships are an excellent way for students to develop their skills, apply what they learned in the classroom, and even explore possible careers,” she said.
Fair preparation
To help attendees prepare for the Fall Internship and Career Fair the Career Center provides résumé reviews and interview tips. Students can stop by the Career Center during drop-in hours for helpful tips and advice or make an appointment with their career advisor using Hire-A-Redbird.
The Career Center will also host Late-night Résumé Reviews in September on the third floor of Milner Library to assist students attending the Fall Internship and Career Fair. Résumé reviews provide students individualized, constructive feedback on their résumés from highly-trained career ambassadors, who are also their peers.
“Attendees should also review the list of employers attending our career fairs and research them before the event so they are familiar with the organizations, identify if they are a good fit, and to be able to answer employer questions effectively,” said Mike Minton, Career Center associate director for Student Relations.
A complete list of employers attending the fairs and details about them are available through the Fall Internship and Career Fair web page or by downloading the Symplicity Jobs and Careers app, available for free from the App Store and Google Play. The app actually allows Redbirds to apply for positions and notify employers that they will visit them at the fair. Attendees should also use the list to research employers and communicate to employers their knowledge of their organizations.
Additional fair planning tips include:
- Considering why you want an internship or a job and being able to communicate your interest.
- Constructing a résumé. Then, visit the Career Center during drop-in hours or Late-night Résumé Reviews for feedback.
- Prepare for on-the-spot interviews. Visit InterviewStream to get interview questions listed by major or job industry, and practice your answers.
- Develop a 30 second summary of your professional skills, experience, and interests. Then, identify your answers to common interview questions. A list of sample questions is available in the Career Resource Guide.
- Dress professionally. A business suit is recommended.
- Research the employers you plan on meeting so you can effectively answer the question, “what do you know about our organization?”
- Create a profile in Hire-A-Redbird. Post your résumé, identify positions, and apply for them. If you already have your profile created, be sure your information is current.
Illinois State students attending the fair need to bring their Redbird ID card and plenty of copies of their résumé. They can also order free business cards to distribute to employers and can print out their résumé on free paper at the Career Center.
Employers
It’s not too late to meet exciting talent from Illinois State University! The Fall Internship and Career Fair still has spots available for employers to attend. Registration is available through Hire-A-Redbird. As an added bonus, candidates from other local institutions may also be in attendance.
The Career Center supports Illinois State University’s Educate●Connect●Elevate strategic plan by assisting students with developing, evaluating and/or implementing career, education, and employment decisions.
