Students were given the opportunity to network with over 100 employers from a wide variety of occupations at the largest Fall Career Day ever, hosted by the University on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in the University’s Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC).
The Career Day is an event that takes the synergy of many University offices. William Hill, Assistant Dean of Career Services in the Center for Student Success (CSS), was an avid participant in the organization of the event.
“Planning for the Career Day involves a great collaborative effort between many of the offices on campus. We start planning about three months in advance by contacting potential employers, selecting new employers, and taking care of logistics such as parking, food, tabling and signage,” said Hill.
There were a variety of employers present in the MAC in order to cater to the diverse fields of studies for students. W.B. Mason was one of them. They sought students interested in joining one of the largest privately owned office products dealer in the United States. Daniel Iannaccone, a W.B. Mason Sales Manager, said, “We recruit Monmouth students simply because the talent from Monmouth University is the best in central Jersey. The personalities of students at Monmouth meet what we are looking for in our sales persons.”
Anthony Werner, another W.B. Mason Sales manager, is a Monmouth University recruit who has been working for W.B. Mason since he graduated from the University in 2009 with a degree in business management.
“I came to this fair six years ago, and it changed my life forever. I had an interest in financial sales, and I talked with Daniel (Iannacone), as well as another manager at the W.B. Mason table. That day I made a choice that if I was going to be in sales I was going to sell something that everybody needed,” said Werner.
Students from all majors attended the Career Day with different motives.
Maya Ayoubi, a freshmen health studies major, said, “I went to the career fair just to check it out. To be totally honest I wasn’t necessarily prepared for it, but it was still interesting to see the different businesses and organizations. I think sophomore year is probably a good year for students to start attending the Career Day, by then they should have a resume and be more well-rounded.”
Jason Caianiello, a senior psychology major, attended Career Day in the hopes of seeking potential job opportunities.
Caianiello said, “I definitely found what I was looking for. I had the opportunity to network with so many professionals and get my name out there. I have already been in correspondence with some of the recruiters I met with, and have even connected with them on LinkedIn.”
In regards to the year a student should attend the career fair, Caianiello feels it is best for students to attend in their junior year.
Employers attending the Career Day had specificities they looked for when recruiting students. Alexis Lyon, the Principal Human Resources Business Partner for Asbury Park Press, said,
“The first thing I look for in a student is personality. After that it’s details such as their major, graduation year, and if they’ve had any experience or internships. Also a big factor that will make a student stand out is if they look us up beforehand. We notice when a student is a little bit more knowledgeable.”
Iannaccone said, “We hire students that come to us with the desire to be successful. They have an entrepreneurial spirit and they are willing to work hard, and make investments in their career in order to provide for their future.”
According to Iannaccone there are ways in which a student can stand out. “We have several students from Monmouth that are all doing phenomenally well. They came to the table with something special. They brought a personal approach, and they presented themselves professionally. We look for any student who can come up to our table with a smile, and offer something about themselves without us having to drag it out of them.”
The first University Career Day was held in the Fall of 1989. Since then it has been bringing students and organizations together under one roof. Will Hill thinks that the Career Day is successful because it allows students to network with potential employers.
“It’s fine to look for jobs online. However, a student can make a much more effective impression of themselves in person,” he said. “
At the Career Day they aren’t weeding through computer applications. By meeting employers in person, a student can project a greater impression of their abilities.”
PHOTOS COURTESY of Monmouth University
