By Stevan Chavez
Enthusiasm was high among students and employers during the Career Fair last Wednesday afternoon.
Tesfaye Tamria, a senior Political Science major who is soon to graduate, said he believes the economy is being revived and that he will “have no major concerns” landing employment. However, he and many other students about to enter the job market attended the fair to have their questions answered by over 65 potential employers.
The Office of Campus Life Career Services sponsored the event as a way for students to compare different employers without the pressure of actual job hunting.
Companies ranging from large national corporations to locally based employers were on hand to showcase themselves to anyone interested. All that was required was for students to ask questions.
While Tamria expressed confidence in his skills as a soon-to-be graduate, not all students felt the same way.
“I’m a little overwhelmed by it all,” said Martha Shultz, a Civil Engineering major. She smiled and explained that it was difficult to focus on all the names and faces. She said she was also concerned with how companies might react to her grade point average.
Many students share her concerns. Some students switch majors in school, while others question whether they selected the right career field when they’re already nearing graduation. However, there might be less need to worry; graduation from college is enough to turn a potential employer’s head.
“We will hire anybody that wants an opportunity, has the qualities we are looking for and wants to work hard,” Keith Philpot of New Equity Mortgage explained.
New Equity Mortgage, a subsidiary of New Equity Financial Corporation, offers many opportunities for recent college graduates.
Currently, it is hiring for positions, including assistant loan officers and mortgage professionals.
Philpot agreed with many other employers who participated in the event, saying that a lack of experience can be overcome with “great communication skills and … capitalist motivations.”
Most of the job offerings were entry level, but with “room for quick advancement,” Philpot said.
“We have several hundred management positions. With these kinds of positions we are open to everybody,” said Scott Harris of ASAP Automation.
Harris explained that they are generally satisfied with the skills that students learn in school. But some employers were also keeping an eye out for potential employees who “think outside the box.”
ASAP Automation, like many other companies, provides training for its new employees. Harris said that the fair was an effective way of recruiting new people. In fact, Harris is a University of Louisville graduate whom ASAP recruited Harris at the Career Fair last year.
Jobs for graduates were not the only positions being offered. The Career Fair also showcased possible internships. WHAS-11 News offers six- to eight-week internships for assistant producers. The prospect of co-ops was another reason for students to attend.
Shultz said she has been looking for an internship with an engineering company since she was a sophomore. She said the fair was helpful toward her goal and she plans to attend next year.
Students who missed out on this year’s Career Fair can find information on the Career Services Web site at http://www.career.louisville.edu.
