Students can meet with representatives from local businesses.
By Alison Graef
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Transfer and career services will host a career fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.
About 40 companies, such as JCPenney, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the U.S. Border Patrol, will have representatives at the fair and will be accepting applications and conducting on-site interviews in the faculty lounge. Industries and fields include non-profits, creative and communicative arts, health, biosciences, business, public service, information technology, government, retail and seasonal.
Bonnie Clauss, a certified adviser in the advising and counseling department, said while students are encouraged to dress business-casual, they should not be deterred from attending the fair if they are dressed casually.
“Some students will be here all day and may be in shorts, so casual is fine, too,” Clauss said. “We want everyone to come. We won’t turn anyone away.”
Transfer and career services will host workshops to assist students with building resumes later this semester, but Clauss recommends using MyPerfectResume.com for the purpose of this fair if students need quick help with putting together a resume.
“It should take no longer than 30 minutes,” Clauss said. “As long as they have their information on hand.”
Students can also use the TRaC center’s JOBLINK website to create a resume and browse employers seeking students in need of flexible work schedules. Clauss said positions include “full- and part-time, internships and sometimes even one-day jobs.”
Clauss said career fairs help students because with employment comes work history and experience. Entry-level and seasonal jobs help students to develop important “soft skills” such as social skills and punctuality that will help them later in their careers.
“It helps prepare them for the future. Even if it’s entry-level or an internship, they gain valuable work experience,” Clauss said.
Transfer and career services offers mock interviews for students who have interview anxiety or want to improve their interview skills. To schedule a mock interview, call the TRaC center at 210-486-1500. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Clauss said interview anxiety is common, and the best way to overcome it is to be prepared.
“Practice, practice, practice is what I say,” Clauss said. “Know yourself and your own skills and what you can do for the company, and just practice what your best answer would be for those questions.”
Clauss said the TRaC center always needs volunteers to help with career fairs and other events. To learn about volunteer opportunities, call 210-486-1500.