Fair to offer jobs, advice

Start exploring career options at today’s career fair hosted by the UNM Office of Career Services.

Jenna Crabb, Career Services director, said fewer recruiters will attend this year’s fair, because employers must now pay registration fees. During the past four years, the United States Office of Personnel Management covered costs, she said.

Crabb couldn’t say how many fewer recruiters will be at this year’s fair, but that shouldn’t discourage students from attending the Public Service Career Showcase.

“We have some great companies that are coming,” she said. “There are great opportunities that exist within these sectors for students.”
Thirty-one employers will be on hand, including representatives from Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Security Administration, the American Red Cross and many others.

To help students prepare for the career fair, the UNM Office of Career Services hosted workshops designed to improve students’ resumes and interviewing skills.

Crabb said many of the companies attending today’s fair will conduct interviews Friday at the Career Services offices in the Student Services Center.

“What’s neat about that is that the students know where career services are, and they are used to coming here, so it is familiar and comfortable,” she said. “Obviously, they will do better in their interview. It’s their turf.”

Student Andrew Walker said he plans to visit career services, but he has not given the fair much thought.
“I’ve been trying to get with career services and everything, but just haven’t made the time to do it yet,” he said.
Crabb said the fair is an opportunity for underclassmen to learn about federal government summer internships.

“Start looking into these companies, and see what opportunities are available,” she said. “Ask them, ‘What majors are they looking for? What does it take to become asset for their operation?’”

Albuquerque resident Stephen Tomasella said he has watched and read about gainful private-sector employment opportunities decreasing the past 20 years.

“My sister worked for the feds and retired at 45 years old,” he said. “If there is reincarnation and I get to come back and choose my career, I am going to follow in my sister’s footsteps and work for the feds and retire at 45 years old.”