October 29, 2019
Highlands business graduate Tarissa Mellin, right, reviews her resume with Matthew Torrez from the Social Security Administration at a previous Highlands career fair. Photo: Margaret McKinney/University Relations
Las Vegas, N.M. – More than 40 employment recruiters will be at New Mexico Highlands University Nov. 7 looking to hire the university’s students and alumni.
The free career fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, 800 National Ave.
“The purpose of the career fair is to enhance your job search network and learn more about organizations hiring Highlands students,” said Kino Hurtado, director of the Office of Career Services, which organizes the annual career fair.
Hurtado said career fairs provide Highlands students and alumni 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. Some of the fastest growing businesses in New Mexico, like Computer Assets and Presbyterian Health Services, are represented at the career fair,” Hurtado said.
A list of participating employers is online at www.nmhu.edu/careerfairs
Hurtado 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, Leonard Casaus with the Albuquerque office of the FBI is an alumnus who will be recruiting for wide variety of disciplines such as accounting and criminal justice,” Hurtado said.
Hurtado said there is a myth that career fairs are only for upper-division students, and encouraged freshman and sophomores to participate.
“By attending a career fair, freshmen can explore opportunities in their field of interest, as well as ask questions about internships and job opportunities,” Hurtado said. He recommends bringing 10 resumes.
Hurtado said all majors can attend the career fair.
“Employers are typically interested in meeting students from a variety of academic backgrounds,” Hurtado said.
Professional attire is required for the career fair. To assist with ideas, Career Services is hosting a “Hit or Miss” career fashion show Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center.
“We will showcase appropriate attire for the career fair, and we’ll be giving men and women interviewing outfits from our career closet on a first-come-first-served basis,” Hurtado said.
Participants at the Career Fair may win prizes such as gift cards to local restaurants and Highlands apparel from the university bookstore.
Contact Career Services for help with resumes and other preparation for the career fair. The phone number is 505-454-3048, and the office is 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 a wealth of helpful online resources such as job postings, Optimal Resume software, interview preparation, interview dress tips, negotiating salaries, and much more at www.nmhu.edu/career-services/.