At this year’s Career Fair, a group of confident students made connections with a variety of employers.
The annual Cane Career Fair was held last Wednesday. As in previous years, dozens of local, national and international employers gathered at the Reynolds Center to network with TU students. Those looking for internships, volunteer positions, and long-term employment all had the opportunity to make meaningful and potentially life-changing connections across many industries.
As students waited in line outside the fair, the pressure to succeed and make an impression was palpable. It was a typical 80-degree, humid September afternoon in Oklahoma, and anxious students in suit jackets stood with resumes in hand. Fair attendees practiced their elevator pitches, revised their game plans, talked to friends and did whatever they could to distract themselves from anxiety and the heat.
Students had different motivations for participating in the fair. Some are looking for an opportunity that will define their career trajectory for the next 30 years, while others need to attend to get their grades. However, other students (including myself) were attending classes without any specific goals. Many of the students I spoke to did so not because they were looking for a specific job or internship, but because of general concerns such as revising their resume, dressing professionally, and promoting themselves to recruiters. I joined for the experience. Free headshots on LinkedIn were also a great motivator for many people.
But regardless of individual motivation or anxiety, there was an overall atmosphere of readiness at the exhibition. The students were dressed properly and walked with their heads held high. The snippets of conversation I was able to hear included short pitches about students’ strengths and specific questions for employers. Most students seemed to have some networking experience, whether it was through on-campus events, previous career fairs, or work experience. The Prepare for the Fair event, hosted by Cane Careers, also included support for resume writing, elevator pitches, and access to appropriate attire for the week leading up to the fair. These efforts seemed to be paying off as the students walked around the booth with confidence.
As is often the case at career fairs, most booths belonged to employers in the energy industry, and students in the College of Engineering & Computer Science or the Collins College of Business had the most networking options. But while the big sponsored tables like Williams and Walmart were certainly the most popular, there were also interesting opportunities at a variety of majors. Upstairs, away from large crowds, students can interact with Tulsa Public Schools, several local hospitals, the Tulsa Police Department, Teach for America, and other employers that serve a broader audience. It’s done.
Overall, the career fair was successful in providing opportunities for students, and the preparatory events contributed to providing calm during what can be a stressful afternoon. The promise of free ice cream at the exit also contributed to the sense of satisfaction at the fair. The hugely popular TU Stanley Cup, which students can earn by completing a survey, is sure to quickly become a status symbol on campus. Cane Careers didn’t have to entice students into a rich and valuable networking experience with free desserts and swag, but it was certainly a nice touch.