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Career Fair open to public

Jan. 15, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's 31st annual Career Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Bernhard Center on the main campus in Kalamazoo.

The event is free for job seekers and open to the public, but tailored for WMU students and alumni. Advance registration is not required. Job seekers planning to attend should dress professionally and bring several copies of a current resume.

Organized by WMU's Career and Student Employment Services, Career Fair 2009 is expected to attract more than 2,000 job candidates. Some 120 organizations representing a variety of organizations and industries have registered to participate in the event.

Employers:
Register for WMU Career Fair

One-third of the participating employers will be recruiting all students, regardless of their major fields of study. Numerous job recruiters will return Friday, Feb. 6, to conduct first-round interviews with selected candidates.

Among the employment sectors that will be well represented during the fair is the federal government. "With many projected retirements in the government over the next 10 years, several federal agencies are hiring," notes Ewa Urban, Career Fair chair.

Welcoming and assisting the participating employers will be University volunteers from Drive Safe Kalamazoo and the Chemistry Graduate Student Association, National Society of Black Engineers, PRO-Public Relations Organization, Sales and Business Marketing Association, and WMU football team. Enterprise Rent-a-Car will provide transportation for employers from Lots #10 and #102 on East Campus to the Bernhard Center.

For students

A series of preparatory events for WMU students will be held prior to Career Fair 2009. They will include:

  • Friday, Jan. 23--Practice Interview Day, during which professional recruiters will conduct "mock interviews" in both Ellsworth Hall and Schneider Hall. Students must apply for practice interviews by Wednesday, Jan. 21. Apply now
  • Tuesday, Jan. 27--"Five-minute Feedback" provided by Target Corp. executive team leaders on the impressions that students' resumes project, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main lobby of Brown Hall.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 28--A session with engineering professionals who will help students get ready for the Career Fair, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room D-109 of the Engineering and Applied Sciences Building.
  • Monday, Feb. 2--A workshop called "No Major Problem: Employers Want Your Skills, Not Just Your Major," 4 to 5 p.m. in 210 Bernhard Center, and presentations on "Interview Etiquette and Dress" from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and "Career Fair Etiquette" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in 1360 Schneider Hall.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 4--Integrated Supply Management Career Night, 6 to 10 p.m. in the Fetter Center, and Engineering and Applied Sciences Career Night, 6 to 10 p.m. in rooms D-109 and D-115 in the Engineering and Applied Sciences Building.

Additional details about Career Fair 2009 are available online, including the employers that will be participating, as well as general information about how to prepare for such events.

Questions may be directed to Ewa Urban at ewa.l.urban@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2745 or to LaSonda Wells, event coordinator, at cses-events@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2745.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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