Michigan Tech’s Career Services hosted the On Campus Job Expo last week on Jan. 14, giving students the opportunity to connect with campus departments that are hiring for both the current semester and the upcoming summer. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was expected to draw 200 to 250 students looking for employment that will work with their school schedules.
The On Campus Job Expo is held twice a year, once at the start of the fall semester and again in the spring in order to assist students finding employment early. According to Jim Desrochers, Director of Employer Relations within Career Services at Michigan Tech, the timing of this event is intentional. “It’s always right at the beginning because if you need a job for the semester, you want to find it early,” Desrochers said.
While the traditional career fair focuses on internships and post graduation employment, this expo is solely for positions that are directly within the university. Organizers sent out a campus wide invite to all departments with on campus job openings to attend at no cost. Employers ranged from Dining Services to smaller departments offering more specialized roles. Some opportunities were seasonal or research based such as some positions within the Forestry Department. A handful of the departments attend every year and know what to expect from the event. “We get the room, line up the tables, and tell them a date,” Desrochers said. Each department handles their own hiring process, which means that students may see different application methods at each booth. For example, some departments use paper applications while others use online methods.
From the student perspective, the expo operates similarly to the traditional career fair. Students move from booth to booth, speaking directly to employers. This allows students to explore multiple job options in one afternoon. While more students attend the traditional career fair, this expo is still crucial. Students’ plans can change a lot due to their school schedule, so this is a great way for students to obtain a flexible job. “Sometimes, as a student, you don’t know your plans yet or something has changed over the holidays,” Desrochers said. “That’s why we do it twice a year.”
By hosting this On Campus Job Expo, Michigan Tech continues to provide students with accessible employment opportunities while assisting campus departments meet their staffing needs.
