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Career fair helps students secure interviews, internships

More than 100 companies set up booths in the second floor ballroom of the Memorial Student Center in preparation for the semi-annual two-day career fair, Sept. 19 and 20.

Students arrived geared for success with resumes and professional attire.

Eager students networked with top employers hoping to learn of opportunities available at major corporations, develop their job finding skills, get career guidance, and obtain internships and job offers.

The fall semi-annual career fair turned out to be “by far one of the best,” said Glenda Jones, director of the career fair.

The career fair was held during Career Week, which began Monday with a resume fair.

Students were given a chance to have their resumes reviewed and to participate in mock interviews with real companies.

Jones believes the resume fair received poor attendance because it was the first one Prairie View has sponsored.

Students with non-technical majors had a chance to impress companies like: Accenture, PetSmart, and Sherwin Williams on Wednesday.

The following day, students pursuing technical degrees mingled with companies like Boeing, Exxon, and Lockheed Martin.

Friday, which was reserved for students who secured interviews, marked the last day of Career Week.

Throughout the week, students received free give-aways from companies that attended.

“That was the best part,” said junior Ricardo Dunkley.

This year the fair changed began at 10 am. Jones said the later start was a better alternative because it left students time to arrive promptly, be prepared, and gave companies enough time to set up.

According to Jones, students can expect to see a speed networking social added to the agenda in spring 2008, which will be a first for the university.

“I learned a lot, it was perfect,” said Yussuf Hussein, summarizing his opinion of the event.