BRIDGEWATER, Va. – On Thursday, Oct. 9, students filled the Funkhouser gym to connect with alumni and explore job opportunities at the Alumni Connections and Career Fair.
“I know other people and a former roommate made connections and met with businesses, and they were successful in getting job offers,” Bridgewater College student Dustin Veach said.
The annual event gives students the chance to connect with alumni while also meeting potential employers.
“I have been planning these events for 19 years,” Associate Director of Career Development Sherry Talbott said. “Each year, we have employers on a list that we contact with information about the fair, and whoever responds gets a table.”
Talbott said this career fair included 36 employers and 47 tables, giving students a wide variety to explore.
Veach said students should be confident, have a good resume, and be ready to shake hands.
“You can only make a first impression once,” Veach said. “I talked to one business, but I’m hoping to build more connections at the next fair.” “I was not very prepared for this one, but next time I will be prepared. Ultimately, it’s on me.”
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a study from 2019 shows 91.7 percent of colleges hosted a career fair during the 2017-18 school year. The study highlighted the importance of these fairs to help students transition to the workforce.
The event, which was held from 1 to 4 p.m., was not just for seniors about to graduate. It also gave employers a chance to promote internship opportunities for rising seniors and sparked conversations for career advancement.
“I was able to talk to companies about getting into an internship role,” Bridgewater student Oscar Whitely said. “I would really enjoy completing an internship with a company and then going back and working for them full-time after I graduate. I think it would really help me start my career.”
A blog post from Flair.hr reports that 70 percent of interns are offered full-time positions at the same company after completing their internship. Highlighting how internships can lead to full-time employment.
Among the employers were Bridgewater alumni Ron Howard, who is on the board of alumni relations and greeted students as they came in.
“If I knew there were fairs like this, I think it would have helped me be more confident.” Howard said.
Howard said he hopes more students and alumni see events like this as an opportunity to build connections that make a difference.
“Bridgewater College is a great place.” Howard said. “I hope they learned a lot here and they understand that Bridgewater is here to help them.”
Talbot said the event is held once each semester, giving students multiple chances throughout the year to connect with employers.
