Record number of companies possible for 2013 Career Fair

KALAMAZOO—Another record year may be in the offing for Western Michigan University's annual Career Fair, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the Bernhard Center Ballroom.

"This is the second consecutive year that 170 or more organizations have signed up to participate. That's a significant increase from a few years ago," says event Co-chair Surangi Pradhan, WMU's assistant director for employer relations. "It signals growth in the state's economy because most of these participating employers are based in Michigan or have branches here."

Pradhan reports that a record 175 organizations took part in the fair last year and although the Friday, Feb. 8, registration deadline is still a week away, 170 have registered so far this year. The event, which is organized by Career and Student Employment Services, had 120 participants in 2010.

Career Fair

WMU's annual Career Fair is open to the public but tailored for WMU students and alumni. Now in its 35th year, it routinely draws some 3,000 job seekers in addition to employers from such diverse areas as engineering, technology, health care, the environmental sciences, insurance, retail and consumer products, transportation, government, the nonprofit sector and construction.

Those organizations will be recruiting for interns and college graduates, and 35 already plan to conduct first-round interviews Friday, Feb. 15, with select candidates that they meet during the fair.

Job seekers should research employers in advance, dress professionally and bring copies of an updated resume. WMU students should also bring their Bronco Cards and are encouraged to visit the Career Zone, located on the first floor of Ellsworth Hall, for help with preparing for the event. Many participating organizations will ask qualified candidates to complete an online employment application in lieu of submitting a paper resume.

Organizations interested in participating in WMU's Career Fair 2013 may register through Feb. 8 at wmich.edu/career/careerfair.html. Job seekers may visit the same website for a list of participating employers and more information.

Questions about the fair should be directed to Janell Raisanen or Surangi Pradhan, event co-chairs, at career-fair@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2745.