VSU’s Fall Career Expo will be taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Multipurpose Center, with over 100 companies in attendance. The Career Expo is open to all majors and will have opportunities for everyone.
Joseph Lyons, the Executive Director for Student Engagement and Career Services and the Director of the Career Expo says the main goal of the Expo is to not only get interviews, internships, and full-time opportunities but also to develop networking skills.
In preparation for the Career Expo, Lyons thinks its important for attendees to come prepared with a few key things.
“Employers only take a few seconds to look at [a resume] and see something about it that will exclude them or include them in the next stage of the hiring process,” Lyons said.
“There’s going to be some employers there who are going to say, when students bring resumes, I can’t take your resume, follow up with me on LinkedIn. So that kind of contact, I think it’s going to be valuable for our students.”
And then the ability to have multiple times to practice your elevator pitch and how you represent yourself enables students to develop this comfort level.
Lyons suggests an app called Blinq that can benefit students during the Expo.
“It has student contact, your contact information, it has a QR code where you can then go to your resume. You can go to your LinkedIn account. You know that is something that sort of outside of the box more so than a resume, cause an employer can just take this, they can just scan it and they’ll have all your information,” Lyons said.
“Students can also come into our office, located on the 4th floor here in Foster Hall and they can meet with the career advisor so that the career advisor can assist them with their resume.”
“These are some things that we’re suggesting that’s gonna make the student stand out and look strong to an employer. It’s important for students to know from our career fair, the same employers are going to VCU, the same employers are going to Virginia Union and all the other schools in the area. So they have to make sure that they do something that enables them to remain in the memory of the employer.”
Companies are attending that students may be excited about. Altria, who is known for giving scholarships to students from all majors, Lockheed Martin, and the YMCA of Petersburg are among the 100+ companies attending.
“I know there’s gonna be something for everyone and that’s really an important point,” Lyons said.
“One year we had the NFL here and a student received an internship this past summer working in New York. In years before we’ve had Apple at the career expo and we have a student who’s worked with Apple because of that.”
Jermain Gatling, a sophomore Career Services Ambassador, gives students some tips for how to operate the expo. As an ambassador, he helps set up the career fairs, assists students who need help with anything at the career fairs (including helping tie your tie if you don’t know how), and assists students who come to Career Services.
“Wear professional business attire and professional comfortable shoes,” Gatling said.
“Update and bring your resume & cover letters. Go to every table, even if it’s outside of your major. Even if you’re not interested in it, just go to every table if you have time.”
