On Oct. 1, the Oakland Center at Oakland University hosted the annual Career Fair. Students were invited to attend to network with possible employers in the health sciences, human resources and business fields.
The upper level of the OC hosted many stands with information regarding what each company represented, possible internships and events to attend. Companies had various application papers and flyers of general information. Merch was given to students who put themselves out for this event and initiated conversations with possible future employers.
Sophia Gegaj and Gabriella Gjonaj were both students at the event; they shared their initial reactions to the fair. “I think it’s a good opportunity to meet people and just get your name out there,” Gegaj said.
The months of the organization before the event manifested on the application forms with QR codes, and flyers with specific job openings, requirements and interview opportunities provided to students by the companies.
The tables and stands populated the second floor, from the Banquet Rooms to the Ballrooms, attendees could walk around and apply as much time as they wished to the stands that caught their interest and fit their career plans.
“We’re both doing finance, and it’s interesting to see how much into finance there is,” Gjonaj said.
Companies had at least two representatives or recruiters standing at their tables with whom students could speak, network and clarify inquiries. “It’s important to start the conversation yourself and ask them what you want to know,” Gjoanj said.
It was common practice that all stands had business cards available for students, containing contact information for interviews or introductory programs.
“We think it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet with the up-and-coming future of our leaders at Forvia,” Forvia representative, Brandi Harris, said. On the Healthcare Sciences side of the fair, Kevin King, a recruiter, said “It’s a really wonderful event.”
“Just having all the employers laid out here is very nice,” Jacob Benninger, a student, said after visiting both the business and healthcare sides of the fair. “[The fair] is mutually beneficial for both,” Benninger said.
“I’ve been very impressed by the students that I’ve seen,” Harris said after an hour of tabling and interviewing. “They offer so much to the table in terms of skill set and knowledge that they can bring to Forvia — that’s amazing.”
The Career Fair ran from noon to 3 p.m. In the following two hours, students were welcomed to apply and be interviewed by a select group of companies who stayed after the event to offer more extensive interviews.
Students could sign up for an interview slot during the career fair at the selected companies’ booths. The Career and Life Design Center staff offered students help to prepare for the formal interviews at the Ready Room, located outside of the Ballrooms.
A full list of the workshops, networking events and meet-and-greets — virtual and in-person — are available in the Career and Life Design Center’s Handshake profile. Events scheduled until Dec. 6 are aimed at preparing students for the next Winter Career Fair.
“Intelligent, can hold a good conversation … all have an eagerness to learn, they are all very curious.” King said, describing all the Grizzlies he met at the 2024 Fall Career Fair.
For more information on future events and resources, visit the Career and Life Design Center website.
