Valparaiso University Hosts Successful Career Fair

Valparaiso University hosted a job fair to kick off 2015. Hundreds of people showed up to Harre Union looking to take charge of their future and turn dreams into realities.

"The success of the University's career fair is due to the growing quality of this fine institution and the increasing economy," Mark Heckler, President of Valparaiso University said. "Our students will take with them an excellent foundation in the Liberal Arts. They are not only well prepared for a job today, they are gaining the skills they will need 30 or 40 years down the road."

The morning started with employer check-in staffed by Career Center staff and volunteers. Over 100 employers were there, looking to add young minds to their company. Breakfast was provided, and Tom Cath, VU Career Center Director, addressed the attendees, thanking them for participating and welcoming back the VU Alumni.

VU hosts four career fairs each year, and the Spring career fair is the broadest reaching fair in terms of the many differing employers that came to interact with the students. For the past 20 years, VU has shown a 90% hire rate for their graduates. What makes VU graduates so employable? Heckler stated that they possess important qualities that employers look for like leadership experience, communication skills, diligence, interpersonal skills, and loyalty.

Leah Moore, a Valparaiso University Graduate Student of International Commerce and Policy came with a friend so one could interview and the other could give feedback.

"It's important to come and get experience in selling yourself before you get an actual interview. And, you can find out about companies that you might not have known about," Moore said.

Students made their way through the fair, conducting themselves in a relaxed yet professional manner. They searched out potential employers and began the process of finding their niches.

Great companies like NIPSCO, ArcelorMittal, Community Healthcare System, Ideas in Motion Media (we’re always looking to hire great additions from VU), Porter County Parks and Recreation, and Taltree Arboretum were just a few that attended. Mia Goulding, Taltree Arboretum Education Assistant, is a VU grad who attended the fairs in the past and now is recruiting for her employer. She was able to see the fair from both perspectives, as an employer and a job seeker.

"I have a better wealth of knowledge for what is needed in the environmental field. It's more than gardening. This includes what other fields of study work with the environmental sciences," she said.

Nearly 600 students attended the career fair. Tom Cath, Lisa Grubb (Career Center Administrative Assistant) and their team and volunteers had everything ready to go and they remained on task the entire time. The career fair was a wonderful success. There is no better way to connect someone to their potential career than through face-to-face interaction. Best of luck goes out to both employers and students. We wish you a bright and prosperous future.

Photos taken by Vicki Schmidt.