By Sabrina Zearott, College of Arts & Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – Undergraduates will practice making presentations and networking with local business volunteers during career fair coaching 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the CUB junior ballroom at Washington State University.
The goal is to prepare students to confidently interact with employers during the WSU Career Expo in early October.
Coaching is open to all students and is presented by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Ambassadors and the WSU Academic Success and Career Center. Pre-registration is not required and walk-ins are welcome. RSVP at http://cas.wsu.edu/about/ambassadors/careerfaircoaching2014.html.
Marketable beyond major
The coaching will teach job-hunting skills such as the “30-second introduction” and help students view their majors in terms of marketable skills.
There is a common misperception among undergraduates that a student’s major largely defines which employers may be interested in hiring him or her, said Arlene Parkay, recruitment and retention specialist with CAS.
“At WSU, students develop extremely valuable skills for the workforce. We want students to understand that there is a place for every major in every market,” she said.
Drawing on local business expertise
Employers recognize the value of helping students prepare for the transition to the working world. The coaching event is an excellent opportunity for students to become comfortable speaking with real businesspeople, said Parkay, “and the employers love working with students.”
Volunteers are recruited from a wide variety of employment sectors, including creative arts, public service, manufacturing and law. Each professional will address the needs and opportunities in his or her field, as well as at a particular place of employment – for example, the Pullman Regional Hospital representative will speak about healthcare in general, as well as specifically about jobs at the hospital.
This year’s volunteer business participants include:
ArtBeat, Inc.
City of Pullman (fire and police departments)
Columbia Bank
Holiday Inn Express
Irwin, Myklebust, Savage & Brown, P.S.
Pullman Regional Hospital
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Walmart
Contact:
Arlene Parkay, CAS Student Ambassador advisor, parkaya@wsu.edu, 509-335-6708