Feeling a little discouraged from a previous
career fair experience, MTSU graduate student Janet Oteri didn't
let that stop her from dressing for success with resume in hand as she attended
MTSU's Fall Career Fair.
"I am more prepared … I actually researched some of the
companies and know what they want — I knew what to expect and what questions to
ask (employers), so I'm pretty confident now," Oteri said.
Hundreds of students and MTSU alumni joined Oteri, a finance major
and native of Nigeria, on the journey of landing an internship or even a job
with one of the nearly 160 employers who set up shop Wednesday, Oct. 25,
at Murphy Center.
Hosted by the Career Development Center of Middle Tennessee State
University, this year’s fair drew more than 1,000 students and alumni. And while admission to the event
was free, the stakes were somewhat high for MTSU senior Austin Brennstuhl.
"My reason for being here is to not only find a job but also
find a position I feel welcomed at and be successful," said Brennstuhl, an
agriculture business major scheduled to graduate in December.
Several attendees found themselves making great connections at the career
fair, the only campuswide fair of the academic year.
"It seems easier to talk to people, so then when I go in the
interview I can be ready and prepared," Brennstuhl said. "Going to
this fair helps me loosen up so when that time does come for an interview, I'm
relaxed and not nervous.”
A few participating employers said they attended the fair in order
to relay information that may otherwise be misunderstood just by looking on
their websites and to also build a personal connection with potential hires.
"It's really important for us to meet with students directly
and see what their interests are and have a conversation with them about what
we do," said Bridget O'ara, representing medical benefits management
company Evicore Healthcare.
Oteri plans to finish the master's program in finance in summer 2018
and feels highly confident that she'll be hearing back from AMSURG, a
healthcare service company, with a job offer or internship opportunity.
"I talked to a representative and it was as if I knew he needed
someone with my background," Oteri said. "They're currently
recruiting and he took my resume, so I'm pretty happy."
“The majority of employers do their recruiting in the fall semester
for summer hires … it’s a great opportunity to get some information you wouldn’t
normally get from a website or a job posting,” said Bill Fletcher, director of
the Career Development Center.
The MTSU Career Development Center provides service to all students
in each of the university's nine colleges. Students have the ability to come to
the center's office located in the Keathley University Center Room 328 for walk-in
advising, resume critique, and more. Scheduled appointments are also available
with career advisers.
For more
information about the Fall Career Fair or the Career Development Center, call
615-898-2500 or visit www.mtsu.edu/career.
— Jayla
Jackson (news@mtsu.edu)
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