Students Gain opportunity to Network, Interview and Learn about Jobs, Careers and Internships
Twenty recruiters from business, industry, agriculture and non-profit organizations seeking potential employees and interns converges at Wilmington College Wednesday (Sept. 29) for the annual Fall Career Fair.
PICTURED: Freshmen Katie Lindeman (LEFT), an agri-business and business administration major, and Delaney Weisenberger, who's majoring in agribusiness and food policy, speak with representatives of Farm Credit Mid-America during WC's Fall Career Fair.
The College's physical distancing protocols in response to the pandemic limited the number of employers, which historically has been nearly twice as many, yet scores of students took advantage of an opportunity to network, learn about jobs and internships of interest and gain interviewing experience,
The event is designed to introduce WC students to potential future employers, internships and graduate studies.
Nina Talley, director of Career Services, said she impresses upon students that good grades and possessing impressive skill sets are important, but they shouldn’t overlook the necessity of “developing good communication and networking skills.”
That point should especially speak to freshmen and others for whom graduation is still years away. Attaining a fulfilling career is a long process in which preparation is a key to success.
“It is a myth and misconception your career search should start your junior year,” Talley said. “It needs to begin when you’re a freshman.”
She said students should research both their fields of interest and the most desirable employers in those areas in order to “really understand what you’re looking for and what companies are looking for.
“That way, they’ll be better prepared to land those good opportunities.”
Talley has been working with students on preparing resumes, cover letters and building bullet points that would distinguish them from others seeking the same job or internship. She noted that WC’s hallmark for hands-on learning experiences often gives students a leg up on applicants from many other schools.
Talley also urged students to not be dissuaded from speaking with certain employers by thinking its goods and services do not correspond to their academic major. Indeed, almost every organization, business and industry hires staff in areas ranging from human resources and accounting to communication, marketing, sales and government relations.
Participating employers included: Total Quality Logistics, Kalmbach Feeds, Bane-Welker Equipment, Carrington Farm Supply, Co-Alliance Cooperative Inc., Marissa Williams — State Farm, AMVC, Farm Credit Mid-America, Butler Soil & Water Conservation District, Sunrise Cooperative, Wilmington Savings Bank, Select Sires, Inc., Clinton Memorial Hospital, Clinton County Youth Council, Amazon, Heritage Cooperative, Buckeye Ag Testing, LLC, UFPI Blanchester, LLC, Ait Transport International and LGSTX Services, Inc.
