GCSU’s Career Center held the Campus and Summer Jobs Fair in Magnolia Ballroom on March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to allow students to ask questions and make employment plans for the approaching summer and fall semesters.
Students from all majors, years and backgrounds were invited to bring their resume and meet local employers, summer camps and campus departments. During the fair, students learned about different career opportunities and resume-building skills.
Daniella Pittman is the internship coordinator for the Career Center. She believed that the fair was a minimal-pressure way to encourage students to explore GCSU’s many career opportunities.
“I think [the fair] is a great way to get people thinking about what their summer plans are going to look like,” Pittman said. “I think for students who are looking for internships, it gives them a chance to see what’s out there, who’s out there and what they’re hiring for.”
Pittman said that she has noticed the benefits of this event on students’ resumes. She noted that students across all years can learn valuable skills from recruiters and employers.
“If they’re able to get an opportunity out of this, it helps build that resume for the next steps,” Pittman said. “But also talking with the recruiters and seeing what they’re looking for can be very helpful.”
Pittman believed the personalized experience students received from the fair will contribute to their future academic and professional success. She emphasized the importance of showing up and being consistent.
“I think this gives [the students] a unique one-on-one interaction with the employers that you wouldn’t get without coming to the career fair,” Pittman said. “Recruiters tend to remember you if they see your face several times.”
Freshman exercise science major Kaelyn Sweeney said she wants to apply for a first-year guide position so she can make a positive impact on incoming students.
“I feel like when I had [a guide] freshman year, it was really helpful to see all the events,” Sweeney said. “I want to do that for the freshmen next year to be someone they can ask questions to.”
Sweeney believed that becoming familiar with one’s major and utilizing human resources can help with the internship process.
“For internships, I want to go into PT and talk to current students or ask older students what they’ve done to prepare for an internship,” Sweeney said.
Presenters at different booths were there to provide more information and links to interested students. Junior marketing major and student advisor Macey McElwaney believed that her position in the advising center aligns with her personal goals.
“I found the position on Instagram over the summer, and I thought it would work really well with my schedule,” McElwaney said.
For McElwaney, being able to work with others was beneficial for her. She believed that community fosters connection, even in a professional setting.
“I love being able to interact with all the students on campus every day,” McElwaney said. “I feel like it’s helped me grow, just getting to know other people.”
The Campus and Summer Jobs Fair brought students together and provided career opportunities across various fields. For those who were unable to attend, the next job fair will be the Spring Career and Graduate School Fair at Centennial Center on March 11.
