Approximately 2,300 students and alumni
are expected to attend Thursday’s Career Fair
in the Sports and Recreation Center.
For many, the practical experience gained with a college education is only as good as the doors it opens up for them. This Thursday, the Career Development Center will offer students and alumni an array of opportunities as it hosts this year’s annual Spring Career Fair.
“We are expecting over 500 employer representatives to meet with 2,300-plus current WPI undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni,” says Allyson Bernard, senior recruiting coordinator at the CDC. “This is an exciting opportunity for students to network with companies and learn more about summer internship, co-op, and full-time opportunities, right on campus.”
Those reps from 180 employers will be recruiting across a variety of disciplines and departments at WPI are working to ensure their students are afforded the chance to make connections in their respective disciplines.
“From a logistics standpoint, it still amazes me how well the different departments across campus work together so flawlessly.” Bernard notes. “We constantly receive praise on the Rec Center facilities, catering, and parking accessibility. I know this event is the result of lots of hard work from so many people, and I am so thankful that I am able to work with such a great team.”
Allyson Bernard, senior
recruiting coordinator.
Incorporating several of those fields at once is one noteworthy telecom corporation. “Google is planning to recruit students from a variety of backgrounds, including mathematical sciences, data science, computer science, physics, robotics engineering, electrical & computer engineering, and information technology for full-time roles. It’s exciting to have such a well-known company here to meet and recruit WPI students.”
The CDC is looking to carry on the tradition of upping the ante every year, ensuring this season’s Career Fair will surpass its previous successes.
“We will be holding a photo-shoot in Harrington’s Forkey Conference Room for students to get their LinkedIn profile photo taken,” Bernard continues. “We’ll be working with the WPI Photography Club to deliver this service.”
The fair starts Thursday at 12:30 p.m., but a variety of services are being provided all week. Last week employers began reviewing students’ resumes in Alden Memorial, and walk-ins will continue to be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow (Feb. 17 and 18).
In addition to meeting company representatives,
students and alumni can get assistance with
writing resumes and preparing for interviews.
Also on Wednesday at 6 p.m., in Salisbury Labs 115, industry representatives from Cimpress, Kyruus, and Raytheon will serve on a company interview panel that will offer prospective employees advice on advanced interviewing skills: “How to prepare, what to bring, how to follow-up, and everything in between.”
Following the fair, students will be able to set up individual counseling appointments and attend walk-ins and workshops focusing on the job/internship search process, cover letter writing, interview skills, and negotiating and understanding job offers. Students can find more information on resumes, cover letters, and tip sheets at http://www.wpi.edu/offices/cdc/career-tipsheets.html or they may contact the Career Development Center at cdc@wpi.edu.
Looking forward, Bernard is confident the Career Fair will continue to be a promising front in WPI’s efforts to put the students’ studies to practice. “As WPI’s reputation continues to grow, I expect we will see an increased number of companies from outside the New England area in attendance looking to recruit WPI talent,” she says. “We continue to hear that WPI’s career fairs are ranked the best from employers and the main reason is the student population. Employers are constantly raving about how prepared, confident, and polished the WPI students are—in addition to the project-based background that students bring.”
The 2015 Spring Career Fair will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Sports and Recreation Center. More information on the event can be found by downloading the WPI Career Fair Plus app, available on Apple and Android markets.
