Multiple public career fairs to be held at WMU this fall

Contact: Jeanne Baron

Students and Sysco Corp. reps interact during a marketing career fair.teract during a marketing career fair.KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will be the site for several career-related fairs this fall that are open to the public but aimed at WMU students and recent alumni.

Members of the public, along with students and alumni from WMU and other area colleges and universities, are welcome to attend as many events as they wish. No registration is necessary, although attendees will need to go through check-in at many of the events.

Those planning to attend a fair are encouraged to review the event's online listing of employers that have registered to participate and to note the types of positions that are open. One fair, the Engineering Expo, will be held in Floyd Hall on the University's Parkview Campus near the intersection of Parkview Avenue and Drake Road in Kalamazoo. The other events will be held on the Main Campus in Kalamazoo.

All WMU students are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming fairs by attending pre-fair events designed solely for them by the University's Career and Student Employment Services and by taking advantage of this office's resume critiquing, walk-in advising and practice interview services. In addition, WMU business students also should take advantage of the additional services and preparation events offered by the Zhang Career Center in the University's Haworth College of Business.

Scheduled fairs

  • Part-Time Job Fair—Tuesday, Sept. 11, 3 to 6 p.m., Bernhard Center Ballrooms. Those interested in working part time in the Kalamazoo area should attend this fair. Some employers also may have internships available. For more information, visit Career and Student Employment Services online. Direct questions to this office at wmu-handshake@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2745.
  • ISM Career Night—Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5 to 8:30 p.m., Bernhard Center. This is a night of networking for those who are pursuing internships and entry-level positions in supply chain management. It features employer presentations as well as opportunities to network with representatives from supply chain companies. Some employers will schedule on-campus interviews for Wednesday, Sept. 19. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online. Direct questions to Erin Leigh at erin.leigh@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2761.
  • Meet the Firms With Beta Alpha Psi—Thursday, Sept. 20, 6 to 8 p.m., Fetzer Center. This event acquaints new and returning accountancy students with the accounting firms actively recruiting WMU students. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online. Direct questions to Dr. Cari Burke, assistant professor of accountancy, at cari.burke@wmich.edu or to Beta Alpha Psi at wmu.bap.vicepresident@gmail.com.
  • A student learns about Tekna from a company rep participating in the Engineering Expo.Engineering Expo—Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., main lobby, Floyd Hall, Parkview Campus. Representatives from more than 120 companies located in Michigan and around the country will be on hand to recruit and connect with those seeking co-op, internship and full-time positions. Some employers will schedule on-campus interviews by invitation for Thursday, Sept. 27. For more information, visit Career and Student Employment Services online. Direct questions to this office's Employer Engagement Team at career-fair@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2745.
  • Marketing, Sales and Food Marketing Career Night—Wednesday, Oct. 3, 5 to 8 p.m., Fetzer Center. This networking event is for those pursuing internships and entry-level professional positions in sales. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online.
  • Business Career Day—Thursday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bernhard Center. This event is an opportunity for students and community members to network with employers who are recruiting talent for a wide variety of business functions in different industries. It typically attracts about 100 companies. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online. Direct questions to Erin Leigh at erin.leigh@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2761.
  • Finance Career Night—Tuesday, Oct. 9, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Fetzer Center. This is a night of networking for those pursuing internships and entry-level positions with a focus on finance. Attendees will hear from industry professionals representing different career paths in the finance industry, then have opportunities to network with employers. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online. Direct questions to Erin Leigh at erin.leigh@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2761.
  • Graduate and Professional School Fair—Monday, Oct. 22, 3 to 6 p.m., East Ballroom, Bernhard Center. Representatives from more than 100 programs and schools located in Michigan and around the country will be on hand to discuss the many options available to those who are considering advanced study. Attendees seeking tips on how to strengthen their applications to graduate, law or medical schools may attend one of three workshops that will be presented from 3 to 4 p.m. No registration is required for the workshops. For more information, visit the WMU Graduate College's webpage for this event.
  • IT Career Night—Wednesday, Nov. 14, time to be determined, Fetzer Center. This is a professional development and networking event for those interested in information technology. It will feature a keynote address delivered by an IT professional as well as opportunities for attendees to network with employers interested in hiring business information systems students and graduates. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center online. Direct questions to Jennifer Palmatier at jennifer.r.palmatier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2729.

General information

A student goes over his resume with a rep from Hitachi Automotive Systems.Job seekers attending any of the fall fairs should research employers in advance, dress professionally and bring copies of an updated resume. Many employers will ask candidates to complete an online application in lieu of accepting a paper resume. WMU students should bring their Bronco ID to each fair they attend.

WMU alumni as well as students can learn about the career and employment services available to them by visiting the websites for Career and Student Employment Services and the Zhang Career Center.

Free parking will be available close by for the fall career-related events. General parking information is available online, as are a variety of University maps.

The GPS addresses for the upcoming career fair locations are: Floyd Hall, 4601 Campus Drive; Bernhard Center, 1922 W. Michigan Ave.; and Fetzer Center, 2251 Business Court. All three locations carry a Kalamazoo, MI 49008 zip code.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.