Western hosts career fair in cold job climate

By Emily Gummelt

Only about a month into the spring semester, students—particularly seniors—are probably concerned about finding a job after graduation.

The spring career fair in the Fulkerson Center would be a great opportunity for those students to ease that concern and see what is out there.

The fair will take place March 4 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center and will feature businesses and employers such as AFLAC Benefits Coordinator, Altec Industries, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Heartland Regional Medical Center, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept., Worlds of Fun and several others.

Career Services Director Linda Garlinger encourages students students of all ages to attend.

“This is an excellent way to find out about companies, especially ones that are unfamiliar to you,” Garlinger said.

Kathy Kountz, the administrative assistant in the career development office, made the point that looking for jobs should not be a last-minute task, and that Thursday’s fair is for any and all students at Western—not just seniors who are suddenly concerned about their chances of finding a job.

“A lot of students wait until they graduate and then try to find a job,” Kountz said. “They should start early.”

The fair will provide opportunities for multiple situations.

“We hope they can look for part-time and full time—even summer—positions,” Kountz said. “Even just to go and network with employers just to get that experience.”
Students might even want to intern during the summer at World of Fun for HR, Marketing, PR, Security, Finance or Food Operations.

Garlinger provided some tips for those who are attending the fair: make a good impression; dress professionally, immediately make eye contact when introducing yourself to employers, be polite, enthusiastic and smile, communicate effectively with employers and different booths; listen carefully, show confidence, market yourself and bring a resume, and explore all career options; speak with employers you might not have considered before and gather and much information as possible about each field.

Garlinger added that prior to the career fair, it is a good idea to check the list of employers who will have booths set up Thursday, and research the ones they are interested in. This way, students can prepare a list of any questions they have about a potentially interesting employer.

“It’s a job to find a job, really,” Kountz said.