Las Vegas, N.M. – Highlands University students and alumni have the opportunity to meet a record number of employers and recruiters at the university’s annual Spring Career Fair April 23.
The free event requires no preregistration and will be from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, 800 National Ave. The Office of Career Services organizes the career fair.
“Our Student Union Ballroom will be overflowing with 60 employers eager to meet with our students, graduates and alumni about career opportunities and paid summer internships in a variety of fields such as education, social work, industry, finance, and the sciences,” said Ron García, Career Services director.
García said so many employers are participating this year that the ballroom will be at capacity, and employers will also set up into the atrium of the Student Union Building.
This year there will be 120 recruiters representing employers – another record.
“At least 16 of the recruiters are Highlands alumni and are especially interested in talking with our students and alumni,” García said.
He added that the day after the career fair, on April 24, there will be an onsite hiring event for the U.S. Forest Service from 10 – 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. Highlands is one of the few universities in the Forest Service’s five-state western region selected for this hiring event.
A complete list of participating employers for the April 23 career fair is online at www.nmhu.edu/careerservices. The list includes links to the employer’s websites. García recommends that students research employers of interest before the career fair so they are prepared to ask good questions.
“Our career fairs are geared towards a large variety of majors. Plus, many companies recruit for all majors – focusing more on skill sets like good communication and writing as well as strong teamwork and leadership potential,” García said.
Of the 60 employers, 20 are new to the Career Fair, such as Hewlett Packard, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Aflac, Agave Health, and PNM.
Some of the returning employers include Los Alamos National Labs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Forest Service, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health, Target, Enterprise Holdings, and National Distributing Company.
For the first time, school districts from Arizona and Kansas will be at the career fair. Public school districts returning this year include Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Santa Fe, Española, Aztec and many more.
A sample of local employers includes Alta Vista Regional Hospital, West Las Vegas School District, City of Las Vegas, and U.S. Forest Service.
“Attending the career fair is an excellent way to network with diverse employers all in one place. The career fair provides valuable face-to-face interaction, which is still very important in today’s high-technology job search environment,” García said.
He said employers at the fall 2014 career fair were impressed with both the record turnout from Highlands students – 330 – as well as the students’ strong preparation.
García added that the career fair isn’t just for upper-division and graduate students. In reality, employers are targeting students much earlier in their education. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to attend.
He recommends professional attire and said resumes are expected. Portfolios and any other relevant credentials are also helpful.
Short videos and other detailed information to help students prepare for the career fair are online at www.nmhu.edu/careerservices From resume preparation to perfecting your pitch and career fair follow-up, Career Services has numerous resources.
The Highlands Career Services Center is in the Felix Martinez Building, Room 230, 800 University Ave. Only Highlands students and alumni may access services through Career Services. The phone number is 505-454-3048.