The Lincolnian

Issue date: 9/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Milan Carter Dr. Marilyn D. Button, Chair of the Department of English and Mass Communications chat with Lincoln alumus Tatsha Jackson-Armstead at last year's Career Fair.

Led by Ralph Simpson, the office of Career Services will host its annual Career Fair, for undergraduate and graduate students on Wednesday November 4, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Manuel Rivero Hall's main gymnasium.

A variety of public and private employers such as Excelon Generation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Department of Health and Public Welfare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield , Melmark, State Farm, and Acme Inc., will be in attendance. Four law schools are also expected to participate.

The Career Fair will be held much earlier this year than in previous years to enable students to get a head start on the application process.

"The goal of the Career Fair is to accomplish one of three things," said Simpson. "First and foremost we want students to be hired for co-ops or internships. Secondly, we want students to be offered admission to grad school. [Lastly] our goal is to have our students hired full-time".

Simpson is hoping for a better turn out for this year's fair.

Of the nearly 2400 Lincoln University undergraduate and graduate students only about 300 students attended last year's Career Fair, said Simpson. Although the numbers were small, the Office of Career Services said that they received positive feedback from company representatives regarding students' knowledge of their companies, and the appropriateness of dress and appearance. Simpson said that their only complaint was that they wanted to meet more students.

"With the current state of the job market, I hope more students, especially seniors, take advantage of the career fair," said senior J'Nai Pinkard. "It's really for our benefit".
In preparation for the career fair, Simpson encourages students to do the following,

1. On Monday October 5, pick up a copy of the list of organizations that will be attending the Career Fair from the office of Career Services. From that list choose five (5) companies you're interested in and begin researching those companies.
2. Formulate a specialized resume that will appeal to the companies you're interested in, being sure to list passions, common interests shared with the company, and what assets you can bring to the company or organization.
3. Schedule an appointment in the Office of Career Services to go over your resume, which will take approximately 90 minutes.
4. Develop a two minute, or less, personal statement which you'll deliver to company representatives.
5. Prepare a total of 25 resumes to bring to the fair. 15 specialized resumes (two copies for each company) and 10 general resumes.

"I can't overstress the importance of research," said Simpson. "In order to give yourself a better chance to receive better results, research, research, research".

Sophomore Ashlee Goodman said that it's not too early to start thinking about life post-Lincoln.

"Even though I'm not looking for a career yet, I think I'm going to go just to check out what companies are looking for", said Goodman. "...just to know what I need to prepare for".

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