Why Should Students Attend HCC Career Fairs?

This past academic year, Houston Community College’s Career Services and Job Placement Department hosted 30 Career Fairs. Each one, whether it targeted all majors or a specific major, like Coleman College’s recent Health Sciences Career Fair on April 26th, aimed to achieve one goal: to bridge the gap between students and the workforce.

At the West Loop Campus All Majors Career Fair on March 23rd, various employers described the criteria they looked for in prospective recruits: “We need high energy, we need people who are personable,” said Jazzyn Booker, a Talent Acquisition Manager for the Houston Texans. This is one of the many benefits of attending a Career Fair as a college student; as opposed to navigating the job-seeking process on one’s own, the Career Fair setting is one of mutual interest between students and employers. At Career Fairs, companies are just as interested in students as students are in them. Many employers like Booker simply seek to “provide a lot of opportunities for getting that foot in the door.”

Casey Rankin, a Human Resources Coordinator for Retina Consultants of Texas, elaborated on the variety of the positions available at the company: “We have jobs ranging from very entry level to a little bit more advanced, from clinical and patient-facing, to also administrative roles.” Booker also disclosed the type of positions available to students hired by the Houston Texans: “full time, part-time, internships, and temporary positions.” A wide availability of positions assures that students not only have a smooth transition into the workforce—it also allows them to finish their studies successfully, depending on what their needs are. Students with a busy class schedule can take on part-time positions or internships, which tend to be more flexible than full-time positions. Students who have access to flexible job positions will be well-equipped to complete their studies and simultaneously invest in their professional future, granting them a competitive edge in the job application process after graduating.

The quality of the employers present at HCC’s Career Fair on March 23rd goes without saying. The Retina Consultants of Texas are a nationally recognized research center with a clinical division, which provides attractive opportunities to medical, nursing, and science majors at Houston Community College. The Houston Texans, a team belonging to the National Football League, is also a well-respected and reputable institution, a common factor among the companies present at HCC Career Fairs. Students attending Career Fairs save themselves the trouble of individually vetting the employers they get in contact with, and ultimately participate in a safe, facilitated, and hands-on environment that enables them to pursue their professional endeavors. “We welcome you to come, no matter what your major is,” said Vonda Dargin, the organizer of West Loop’s All Majors Career Fair on March 23rd and the Manager of Career and Job Placement Services at the Southwest Career Center: “Anything that you feel like you would want to pursue, we will be able to help you find that answer.”

“Why are you in school?” says Vonda, upon being asked why students should attend Career Fairs. To her, the purpose of pursuing an education is to launch a successful career, not just land a job. There are many advantages to the in-person nature of Career Fairs that simply cannot be achieved online. For example, Career Fairs enable students to meet with multiple employers at a time and “market [themselves] face-to-face,” according to Loretta Lyons, a Job Placement Associate for Career Services. Additionally, attending a Career Fair provides the opportunity to turn in a resume in person and become recognizable to employers. Many key learning pieces are gained from this experience, including familiarizing oneself with recruiters and employers, determining peak points in recruiting, and obtaining the necessary tools to smoothly transition into the workforce post-graduation.

For those looking to reap the amazing benefits of Career Fairs, Dargin suggests meeting with a Career Specialist first and registering for the event through CareerHub, which provides access to a list of the companies attending the event. To Dargin and Lyons, conducting research on the companies present and preparing appropriate attire for the event is crucial. Students should “think about that professional first impression,” says Dargin, and “consider that an interview might be conducted on the spot.” The attire and preparation that one brings along to Career Fairs should suit the possibility of such interview arising: “For ladies, a nice blouse with slacks or a skirt. For men, a button down, preferably with a tie, and some nice pants.” Career Services’ partnership with Dress for Success (for women) and Career Gear (for men) is an initiative to assist students’ job-seeking process by providing professional, clean clothes for interviews—free of charge. Dargin even plans to propose that this attire be held “in-house,” so that students can borrow professional attire on a shorter notice. Similarly, students can submit their resume on CareerHub for review upon attending Career Fairs, to ensure their appearance and work experience makes an excellent first impression to employers.

Regarding the West Loop Campus All Majors Career Fair on March 23rd, Dargin and Lyons note that it was an “excellent Career Fair.” Approximately 200 students visited this Career Fair, which took place on the main hallway of the West Loop Campus after the Fair was bumped out of the auditorium. Because of traffic through the hallways, the exact number of students present was difficult to track, but Dargin and Lyons still attest to its great turnout. “We plan to go back to the auditorium. It’s a more inclusive, intimate, and personable environment.” Career Services received excellent feedback from employers, like UPS and GEICO, who requested more recruiting events and “more personable 1-on-1 time with students” after attending. “For most companies, the goal is to interview and hire,” says Dargin.

For more information on Career Fairs, visit the Career Services Website or CareerHub.