Students explore options at Career and Graduate School Fair

Cars were parked everywhere. A police officer was in the street directing traffic and officers stood outside of the doors of the Plourde Recreation Center. This was all due to the Fall 2011 Career and Graduate School Fair on Thursday, November 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Packed with professionals, the gym was dotted with students in their most professional attire. According to Nikki Diorio, the assistant director at Career Services, "Professional dress is essential and a good tip is comfortable shoes."

Comfortable shoes are a must indeed because students were doing a lot of walking. The gym was set up in rows of tables. Upon entering, each student was given a folder with a map.  The map included a diagram of the room accompanied by table numbers. With map in hand the journey began. The gym had 56 tables, a plethora of options to pick from with companies like the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Meditech, Amica Mutual Insurance Company and The American Cancer Society. Along with graduate schools like the University of New England, Boston University School of Public Health, Bentley University and Assumption College.

The fair had a calm atmosphere; students were professional as they approached potential employers and graduate schools. Never too crowded, the gym had an efficient system that allowed students to get from one part of the fair to the other without being chaotic or stressful.

Students with resumé in hand and a nametag on their chests were able to roam the room freely and talk with any people at tables they liked. Diorio's advice for students before attending the Career Fair was to "research on the companies attending," a wise suggestion for future seniors. This information is available to students on the portal page under career services and informs students on the industry, location and provides the website of these companies and graduate schools. Students who were unaware of which companies would be there and what they did were less prepared.    

Some students were disappointed at what the career fair had to offer. Lauren Armstrong, a senior at Assumption College said, "I wish there was a little more variety, it's kind of all human services and insurance." Many tables at the career fair did advertise majors such as business, mathematics, psychology, sociology and human services. However, most tables were willing to take resumés from any student interested in their company. CCR LLP, a public accounting company, had the representative telling students who were not accounting majors that he would take their resumés and give it back to the company, even if he was unsure if their major and interests would fit the company.

Although some students were disappointed at the turnout, others felt that the career fair was a success. Senior Anthony Rofino stated, "It's been really informative so far. I'm really enjoying it. There's a lot of good opportunities." It seems that this experience all depends on what the student is looking for in his/her job pursuits. 

However, jobs and graduate schools were not the only option for students. A table for the group City Year was also present. This was a different option for graduating students. A "national service organization" allows a student to work for 10 months at a school that is in need of assistance. With 21 choices across the U.S. and two international options the agency looks for young people from ages 17 to 24, and at the Boston option it extends to age 25. 

To apply, representative Molly Brown explains it is an application process similar to "a modified college application." This option allows students help to get schools that are off track get organized by tutoring and holding intervention programs. Focusing on mainly mathematics and literacy programs, they are also there to mentor students. Brown explained that signing up for this agency gives someone the opportunity to give back will gaining leadership skills. 

Seniors who did not feel that the fair was a success or were unable to make this event are still in luck. Diorio explains that students who are still looking for options should connect with Career Services and speak with them individually. Diorio's goal for Career Services is trying to be more creative and more fun in order to get students involved. By doing this there are many upcoming options for students to attend in order to get started on their futures outside of Assumption College.