Career and Professional Success (CaPS) held its semi-annual university-wide Career and Internship Fair in the Whittemore Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) on Tuesday, Feb. 26 with over 236 employers registered.
Though a few no-shows were present, other employers who were not registered were in attendance. The final count of employers was 228 in attendance, with exactly 1,500 students and alumni signing in.
Students were given a diverse range of employers in a relatively low-risk environment, were urged to dress professionally and to bring multiple copies of their resumes. CaPS also offered a LinkedIn photo booth as well, as a courtesy.
In recent years, CaPS has had a steadily growing number of students at their career fairs.
Tyler Wentworth is a UNH alumnus from the class of 2008 with a political science degree and the director of marketing communications and engagement for CaPS. He has worked with CaPS for about two and a half years, previously working with admissions and as senior producer for social media. He outlined his work in growing the number of students in attendance.
“Four to five years ago our number was at approximately 1,200 to 1,300,” Wentworth said. “We now usually see 1,600 to 1,700 students attend consistently for the last two years.”
CaPS holds over 22 career fair programs, which remain industry-specific. For example, CaPS holds an outdoor education career fair, biotechnology and nursing career fair.
Wentworth outlined the importance of the Career and Internship Fair and believes it is imperative that students attend, even as first-year students and sophomores.
“The biggest thing for finding jobs in 2020 and beyond is building relationships,” he said.
Based on a survey published by LinkedIn, over 85 percent of all new jobs are found through networking. A quick pitch is important for any prospective employee. Though there are primarily business- and engineering-related employers at the Career and Internship Fair.
Wentworth outlines how practicing how one introduces themselves, even if they are not actively seeking a job or internship, can make them more comfortable and confident in that environment.
CaPS not only urges students to attend these fairs but to also take advantage of their services, which students pay for. CaPS offers templates for resumes, resume and cover letter writing assistance and mock interviews among other services.
In the coming weeks and months, CaPS has numerous events slated for students. On March 9 in the Strafford Room at 6 p.m., in conjunction with UNH’s Entrepreneurship Club, a Start-up and High-Growth Company Career fair are taking place. On March 24 at 6 p.m. in Huddleston Hall, CaPS is hosting an Animal and Agriculture Career Symposium.
The next campus-wide Career and Internship Fair is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 7 in the Whittemore Center. Students and alumni of all levels are urged to attend to speak with employers and network.
For more information on Career and Professional Success, visit their website at unh.edu/career or contact them at [email protected].
