Ron García
Las Vegas, N.M. – Forty employers will be at New Mexico Highlands University Nov. 10 looking to hire the university’s students and alumni.
The free Career and Internship Fair will be from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, 800 National Ave.
“Students can get the inside scoop on how to get their careers churning by networking with more than 70 professionals and recruiters representing 40-plus corporations, research businesses, and government and social services agencies from six states,” said Ron García, Office of Career Services director.
The Office of Career Services organizes the annual career fair.
García said career fairs provide Highlands’ students and alumni with an opportunity to meet in person with employers rather than simply applying to an employer’s website job board.
“Employers range from Fortune 100 companies to federal and state agencies. We also have a good mixture of nonprofits, social service agencies, and research businesses. There are 10 new employers represented at the career fair this year, ranging from the National Nuclear Security Administration to Jicarilla Behavioral Health and Environment for the Americas, a nonprofit bird conservation organization,” García said.
Some other employers include government agencies like Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service, and FBI, as well as large corporate employers like Santa Clara Development Corp. and nonprofits like the Pecos Valley Medical Center.
Local employers like Alta Vista Regional Hospital, Angel Fire Resort, and the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge will also be recruiting at the career fair.
A list of participating employers is online at www.nmhu.edu/career-services/participating-employers-list/
García said that as in past years, a number of the employer recruiters are Highlands University alumni motivated to hire graduates of their alma mater for career positions or paid internships.
“For instance, Stephen Apodaca, a criminal justice alumnus, is a game warden with the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. He will be recruiting criminal justice majors as well as forestry, biology and conservation management majors,” García said.
García added that there is a misperception that career fairs are only for upper-division students and encourages freshman and sophomores to also participate.
He recommends professional attire for the career fair, as well as bringing at least 10 resumes.
Students may enter their resume to win one of two $50 gift certificates donated by Follett, the university’s book store. In addition, the Highlands’ Foundation donated two $50 gift certificates to the bookstore. The Highlands’ Athletic Department donated athletic apparel for prizes.
Contact Career Services for help with resumes and other preparation for the career fair. Call 505-454-3048 to make an appointment with a career adviser or visit the office in the Felix Martínez Student Services Building, Room 230, 800 University Ave. It is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Career Services website also has wealth of helpful resources such as job postings, Optimal Resume software, interview preparation, interview dress tips, negotiating salaries, and much more. Go online to www.nmhu.edu/career-services/