Students Fill DCU Center for Career Fair 2010

Worcester, MA - The Colleges of Worcester Consortium, in conjunction with career services offices at its member institutions, sponsored Career Fair 2010 on Wednesday, March 24 at the DCU Center.

As the job market has been very competitive in this economy, over 450 students attended the career fair to learn more about career possibilities and make valuable contacts. Students came to discuss opportunities for jobs, internships and co-ops with the 73 employers in attendance as well as to learn more about graduate school programs at the numerous graduate schools participating in the event.

The annual career fair provided students with the opportunity to talk one on one with representatives from companies, such as City Year, Fallon Clinic, John Hancock, and Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc. Students networked and learned important information that will keep them one step ahead of their peers in today's unfavorable marketplace. Such insights included suggestions of what types of employment could be obtained with particular majors and degrees, the work environment of different positions, current openings, and hiring cycles.

Andrea Ouellette, a senior at Worcester State College, said the most valuable information she heard from an employer was to "make good contacts and mention them when you apply" and to "keep [her] options open."

Because the job market has become increasingly competitive, the importance of prior internship experience was stressed by employers, who also offered information about internships. To help with this process, employers may post internships on the Consortium's online Internship Database which can be accessed along with other resources at www.cowc.org.

Employers benefited from the career fair as well. Their goal was to find qualified applicants and recruit students for positions. Many companies said they plan to invite many of the students they spoke with for interviews and were impressed by the professionalism of the applicants.

Students were encouraged to "stick with it" because job opportunities are posted daily, said Julianna Morrison, a senior at Assumption College.

Students left the career fair with a better understanding of the jobs available at the companies in attendance and gained a better understanding of how to go about applying for those jobs. This knowledge will better prepare the students for their continued job and internship searches as well as give them greater confidence in face-to-face interactions and future interviews.