Recruiters from prominent companies such as Geico, CVS/pharmacy, and Hershey Company were present at the annual Career Fest this past Wednesday.
Students seeking out jobs and internships gathered around the booths scattered throughout the Alumni Arena gymnasium with resumes in hand, hoping to find an opportunity to enter the real world.
According to Michael Rivera, the senior career planning and development associate for Career Services, Career Fest is designed to guide students toward employment after graduation and finding internship experiences.
"This event helps students come in contact with potential employers who are looking to offer internships, full, and part-time jobs," Rivera said.
UB alumnus Jacob Glofka, an agency sales director for insurance company MetLife, which is the 37th largest company in the US on the 2007 Forbes Fortune 100, thought the turnout was low.
"I cannot believe that most UB students are not here. I think that this is a tremendous opportunity and it's often overlooked," Glofka said.
For students like Rahul Ramaswamy, an electrical engineering major, the event provided a better understanding of what employers are expecting from future employees.
"This event helps boost my confidence, because now I know what employers are looking for. It helps me understand where I stand in the industry," Ramaswamy said.
Employers see UB as a hotbed for finding motivated young people to hire, according to Jacqueline F. Lyons, the principal examiner of the National Credit Union Administration, the independent federal agency that oversees federal credit unions.
"UB is a highly respected institution in the area. We know the students are going to be successful," Lyons said.
Allison Justice, coordinator of Canadian Connection, a company that recruits employees to teach English in Korea, thought UB students that attended the event made a good impression.
"The students seem to be prepared with their resumes, well-prepared with intelligent questions, and even dressed nicely," Justice said.
Olga Stamatoua, a business major, is confident that her education at UB will give her an advantage when it comes to entering the workforce.
"Companies need us, because they think we as students can enhance any position with our experience, education background and leadership abilities," she said. "UB students are dedicated."
Amy Wilson, associate director of the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, believes that the presence of such large companies at the event was a testament to UB's significance to the community.
"I think it emphasizes how important is UB is to their companies. They rely on the university for employees," Wilson said. "It's a connection between the university and the community."
Stamatoua agrees, and thinks the Career Fest was important in establishing that connection for students.
"I think the Career Fest is very useful, it makes you think more about what you want to do and the future," she said. "It truly gives a great outlook on what society needs right now and how you can help."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
