Students ready for employment

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Based on statistics as well as real-life experience, students who participate in next week’s Oklahoma State University  Career Fair should at least increase their job or internship prospects, and could even land that first full-time position.

Organizers say this year’s career fair, set for Thursday, Feb. 14,  at Gallagher-Iba Arena, is sure to be the largest of its kind at OSU with more than 200 companies sponsoring booths.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to meet with employers across all industries, regardless of major, career ambition or geographic preference,” said Philip Goodwin, assistant director for employer relations with OSU Career Services.

“Although this is only one of the many services we provide, our staff works especially hard to bring a large number of quality, diverse employers to this event. It is an incredible networking opportunity for all majors.” Career Services is hoping to see over 1,500 students attend the event.

Last year’s career fair certainly paid off for industrial engineering and management senior Taylor New. “Not only did I get five or six interviews from meeting employers, but it also led me to accept a position as project cost engineer with ExxonMobil Development Company,” New said. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the doors the Career Fair opened.”

Amy Gazaway, coordinator of student success in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, says students are finding success through this and other career resources from the university. 

“Nationwide, statistics show about 10 percent of students find employment through a campus-generated contact. Here at OSU, our statistics have run at about 20 percent success through on-campus career connections,” Gazaway said.

Chesapeake Energy, USAA, Baker Hughes, Cameron International, Michelin North America, ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Multiview, Inc.  are sponsoring this year’s fair.

“The career fair is an amazing event because we get to see hundreds of the employers that we’ve recruited and worked with come together with the students that we’ve helped and coached,” Goodwin said.

The Career Services website, at hireosugrads.com, is valuable for students preparing to make the most of the career fair. Look through the list of attending employers, read over the dress and conversation tips, and apply for on-campus interviews.

For more information on Career Services or to pre-register for the career fair, visit hireosugrads.com.