Castleton State College’s Career Services will once again be hosting the annual Career and Graduate Fair on March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Glenbrook Gymnasium.
According to Director of Career Services Renee Beaupre-White, the fair will provide opportunities and information that is relevant to all students. There will be booths set up throughout the gym where students can talk with representatives from graduate programs as well as career and internship recruiters from all over the New England region.
“Not many students realize you don’t have to be a senior to go,” said Career Services intern Emmalee Stier.
After attending last spring’s fair, sophomore Hollie Nop made connections that resulted in a summer internship in the Human Resources department of the Vermont Country Store.
“The event leads to valuable professional opportunities that expand students’ industry knowledge and spur their personal development,” she said.
Beaupre-White and Stier encourage all students to take the initiative to expand their professional experiences and develop their resumes.
“You really can’t start early enough,” said Beaupre-White. “The more you do now the more ready you’re going to be when you do launch Castleton and fly away.”
In addition to the information booths and opportunities to receive resume feedback from recruiters, there will also be chances for all students to win prizes, free professional makeover demonstrations by Ann Honan, and free massages.
“All students that attend are going to eligible to win free prizes,” said Beaupre-White. “There are going to be extra great opportunities for seniors.”
Some of these senior specific prizes can be found at the College Store booth. According to store worker Gail St. Pierre, graduating seniors can receive a 20 percent-off coupon to the store and enter to win a free cap and gown. She said there will also be a representative from Balfour with class ring information.
Also, for those preparing to graduate, there will be an Alumni Association sponsored booth with information about becoming an alum.
According to Beaupre-White, the entire event aims to help students establish professional contacts that will benefit their futures.
“Over 80 percent of jobs today are found through connections,” she said. “Just the networking itself makes it worth coming to.”