Future spies, lawyers, social workers and others will have the chance to meet their employers today at the AU Career Center's Job and Internship Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. in Bender Arena. The annual fair features roughly 100 employers, including representatives from the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Justice and the Peace Corps.
581 students are registered, but 1,000 are expected to attend, according to the Career Center.
"We've had a lot of success stories from students who have gotten a job or internship from the fair," said Jenaire Terry, employer services coordinator at the Career Center. "It's a great opportunity to come and get a feel for the [job] market."
Terry said that students appreciate the variety of employers at the fair. The event this fall includes representatives from nonprofit organizations, businesses and government agencies.
She suggested that students prepare by dressing nicely, researching employers of interest and bringing about 20 copies of their resume to hand out to employers.
This fair is an exception to others because there is no need to pre-register or submit a resume online to attend. However pre-registering allows students to at avoid lines at the entrance of the fair, Terry said.
She added that even though students aren't required to post an online resume to attend the fair, it's a good idea. Employers can view resumes online and contact students with offers for jobs or internships. More than 1,300 students completed online profiles, and 10,051 students and alumni have online accounts on the AU Career Web, according to the Career Center.
"It's an event for the entire AU community, whether you're a first-year student, a graduate student, from Tenley campus, the WCL or an alum. The event is for everyone," Terry said.
She urged freshman especially to "come and get their feet wet" by exploring job and internship opportunities even if they don't want one immediately.
"I think [freshman] will all go with the hopes of landing a good starting internship or at least attend to get a good idea of what goes into that kind of networking," said Serene Gallegos, a freshman in the School of International Service.
Some students come to the fair with an open mind as to what opportunities they will find.
"I hope to find something that deals with my major, and if not, something that will keep me busy," said David Blum, a sophomore in the School of International Service, adding that even if he doesn't find a paying job, "an internship is good to add to a resume."
The Career Center has held a yearly Job and Internship Fair since the 1980s and began holding two each year in 2000. The next fair will be in March.
Visit www.american.edu/careercenter to see the full list of employers who will be participating in the career fair today.
