By Jonah Trosky | trosky@sonoma.edu
Sonoma State University’s annual Career Fest is underway with events that prepare students for the Career Fairs to be held next week, where companies from across the Bay Area will be looking to build connections with freshmen and seniors alike and, in many cases, offer jobs.
“This is your opportunity to connect with hundreds of employers, all who are here because they want to hire SSU students,” said Career Advisor Kelsey Bensky. “Not attending means missing out on that opportunity for those critical, in-person connections.”
The Career Fairs will be held in the Student Center over a two-day period, with employers such as Bear Republic Brewing Company, the Oakland Athletics and Hansel Auto Group in attendance. The first fair will be on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will emphasize STEM and health jobs, while the fair on March 12 will focus on art and social impact opportunities. Both will feature employers from the business and wine sectors. At the end of each fair, informational employer workshops will be available for students to learn more about certain employers while also building a more personal relationship.
“There's a misconception that the Career Fairs are only for graduating seniors,” said Bensky. “That is not true, and there are huge benefits to attending including getting familiar with how career fairs work and building connections as early as possible.”
On March 3 and 4, students can visit Career Center Pop-Ups in Salazar Plaza to get resources and support prior to the upcoming Career Fairs. Students also can meet with a career advisor, get their resume reviewed, check out the career closet and even connect with some employers who will be attending the Career Fair.
Other Career Fest events included multiple resume workshops and a “prepare for the fairs workshop” hosted by Young’s Market Company. After the Career Fairs, there will be an interview workshop, information session about Sonoma County’s application process and an SSU educator job fair. For more information about Career Fest and all the events, visit the Career Center.