Hundreds of people filled the Liberal Arts building of the Davie campus last Thursday. But most of them weren’t there for class. The campus was hosting the Broward FAU Career Day, and many eager students showed up to take advantage of the opportunity to meet representatives from over 20 different businesses and government agencies wishing to recruit FAU students.
“I’m looking for upcoming or recent graduates.” æBrandon Alligier of Randstaff agency told the UP.
His company was looking for technical support this time around, although they also hire administrative and customer service staff.
Alligier says job fairs are a good way to meet possible candidates because of what he calls “the vibe they bring out.” The personality is not available in a faxed-in resume, which is why it is better to “meet face-to-face,” he says.
John Becker of National Diamond already employs two FAU students, and heard of the job fair through them. He is looking for sales people, and offers flexible working hours that would meet a student’s class schedule.
At each company’s booth, students were able to ask questions about job requirements and duties, to see if this would be a job for them. Take one student, who quizzed the Broward Police Department. Pete Buhr, a policeman, discussed the investigation each applicant will undergo before they are processed further — a polygraph and three-man interview panel. But it doesn’t end there, for new recruits must undergo five months of training and then three months of fieldwork before they can put on their badge.
Davie was filled with such inquiring students in their process to find employment. “It’s a good way to get the message out to large amounts in a short amount of time,” says Jose DeJongh, a University of Phoenix representative. “You talk to hundreds of good, qualified people.”
The job fair offerings varied from part time work to full-fledged careers in the making. Students took advantage of the opportunities and information provided. On Feb. 5, the Boca campus will be holding a Career Day, giving students yet another opportunity to network and meet representatives from government, education and business fields.
