| Career
& Graduate School Expo - Guide for Students & Alumni |
College
of Charleston
Career & Graduate School Expo
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
12 – 3:30 pm
Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St.
General
Information:
- Attending
the Career Expo can be beneficial to you in:
-
Finding out about potential jobs/internships/career opportunities
and the organizations that hire for these opportunities
- Learning the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to be
competitive for opportunities
- Meeting representatives who recruit/hire students/graduates/alumni
- Having the chance to learn about and/or apply to many different
organizations and jobs all in one place at one time!
- The
Career Expo is open to all students and alumni of the College
of Charleston.
- Students/Alumni
are not required to pre-register to attend, but sign-in
in required at the registration desk at the Expo
- Transportation
will be provided by the Career Center. A shuttle bus will
pick up/return students at the corner of Coming and George
Street (between the Stern Student Center and the Science Building)
every 15 minutes, starting at 11:45 am. If you plan to drive,
limited parking may be available in the City of Charleston
Parking Garage in front of the Gaillard Auditorium, at the
Aquarium Parking Garage (1 block away), or at metered spaces
around the Auditorium. Remember to bring money to pay the
parking fees if you drive.
- Mark
the date and time on your calendar. Make any necessary
arrangements with professors/employers so that you can attend
the Expo. Plan to attend for a minimum of an hour;
more if you have several organizations in which you are interested.
The Career Center cannot excuse students
from classes or other obligations.
-
Review
the list of participating employers and graduate/professional
school programs (link from the Career Center home page at
www.cofc.edu/~career). This list is updated weekly
until the event.
- Research
the organizations of interest to you by reviewing
the information provided and investigating the organizations'
website.
- Create
and/or update your resume. Download the Help
Guides on the Career Center's website for information
on preparing an effective resume. Have the Career Center review
your resume WELL IN ADVANCE of the Career
Expo to allow for corrections and changes.
Make an appointment by calling 953-5692 or come in during
Drop-In Hours, M-F, 1 - 4 pm, first-come, first-served.
- Prepare
10-15 resumes on resume-quality paper to take with
you to the Expo.
- If
you are attending the Expo for career exploration,
prepare questions such as:
- How might I best prepare myself for a career in this field
or with your organization?
-
What knowledge or skills does your organization look for in
new hires?
- What would I need to do to apply for your career opportunities
if I am interested?
- Do you offer internship/summer job/part-time job opportunities?
- If
you are attending the Expo for employment opportunities,
prepare questions such as:
- I'm interested in your ___________________positions. Can
you tell me more about these opportunities?
- How might I apply in order to be considered for upcoming
job opportunities with your organization?
- Please tell me about your training program.
- What knowledge or skills does your organization look for
in new hires?
- Be
prepared to share information about yourself with the recruiters.
For example:
-
Your career aspirations or interests
- Your major
- Why you are interested in their organization
- Set
aside professional attire to be worn at the Expo:
Men - Business suit with dress shirt (preferred);
or dress slacks with a button down shirt or polo shirt (acceptable
for undergraduates). NO
sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, ball caps or
shorts!
Women
- Conservative business suit or business dress (preferred);
or dark skirt/pants with sweater set or conservative blouse.
NO short or tight skirts, low cut/cropped/spaghetti
strap tops! NO sneakers, sandals, flip-flops or shorts!
- Review
the list/location map (available at the registration
desk) for the organizations of interest to you. Visit those
organization's booths first. Keep an open mind
- talk to organizations even if they have nothing to do with
your major - see what they have to offer. For example, you
may not have a major in a healthcare related field, but hospitals
employ people in business, human services, information technology
and other areas as well. Don't miss out on possible opportunities
just because you didn't ask a few questions!
- Introduce
yourself to the representatives. For example:
Hello. My name is _____________. I am a (freshman/sophomore/junior/senior/graduate
student), and I am interested in your ________________ opportunities.
Could you tell me more about these opportunities with your
company? Remember to smile and show your interest and
enthusiasm! First impressions count!
- Give
the recruiter a copy of your resume.
- Pay
attention to the information the recruiter provides you.
- Ask
the recruiter how you should apply for jobs/internships
with their organization if you are interested.
Do
not be "put-off" if a representative tells you to
apply on their website - they are inviting you to apply, and
this is how their company accepts applications!
- Take
any brochures, pamphlets, etc. that the recruiter
may offer you for further review.
- Ask
for a business card and thank the recruiter for his/her time.
- Apply
online to companies indicating this was the next
step in their application process, or follow the instructions
you were provided in order to indicate your interest.
- Send
a short thank you note to the recruiters representing
organizations of particular interest to you. Use this opportunity
to thank the recruiters for their time and assistance.
We look forward to your participation
in our Career and Graduate School Expo! Please contact the
Career Center if you have additional questions.
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