Earlier this month, the University’s Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) hosted a career fair offering students in all programs of study myriad opportunities to connect with nearly 40 employers.
For freshman Lawrence Hunter, an accounting student, he took the opportunity to explore some potential career opportunities and connect with potential employers at the career expo, which was held in the Drubner Center. Hunter was impressed by what he found, both in the many employers represented at the event and in the interest from his fellow students.
While at the career event, Hunter secured a summer job with the City of Waterbury. Hunter was among the more than 200 students who came to the career fair or participated in the virtual career panel. It drew undergraduate and graduate students of all majors and programs of study who met with employers and learned more about the many job and internship opportunities available.
For Megan Lombardt, a marketing major, she also found the variety of companies at the career fair to be valuable as it offered students the chance to talk about their experiences with employers and build connections.
“The one thing I found to be interesting during the career fair was the Career Closest and how it is designed to help students make that best first impression for interviews,” said Lombardt. Inspired by similar programs at other schools, the Career Closet run by CCPD provides students at no cost with professional attire appropriate for interviews, networking events, and the office. The Closet is inclusive of all genders and sizes, and no one is asked for financial information or to prove their need. Post faculty and staff donate all clothing items.
As part of first-year freshman curriculum, Hunter took a course that helps students analyze values and goals while helping connect their present university experience with current and future career aspirations. Instructors in this course work closely with the Post University’s Center for Career and Professional Development. Later, when Hunter enters his junior year, he will have another required course focusing on the fundamental of executing a successful job search. In this course, they refine their resumes; write cover letters and follow-up thank you emails. The Center for Career and Professional Development will again be a resource for students.
“The spring career fair was a big success,” said Camille Dumont, director of the University’s CCPD. “It was exciting to see such a large student turnout to meet with our employer partners for internship and job opportunities. It is important for our students to take advantage of these networking and career connection opportunities, and they certainly turned out at this fair.”
“We are so appreciative of the employers for their time, energy, and interest in our students,” said Dumont. “The University prides itself on preparing students for career success, and I believe that the employers were impressed by the quality, and motivation of our students.”
Coming Soon to the Center for Career and Professional Development: Big Interview a digital platform that students can use to learn and practice variety of general, behavioral, and technical practice interview questions. With Big Interview, students can get hands-on training with mock interviews tailored to their specific industry, job, and experience level. Big Interview offers AI feedback that can process a student’s video and offer immediate feedback on key behaviors and coaching to improve.