Students still looking for a job or summer internship should get their resumes prepped, trousers ironed and visit the Spring Internship and Career Expo (ICE) from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 in Millett Hall.
As of Jan. 23, 127 employers are registered for the fair, according to Bill Froude, associate director of the Office of Career Services. Froude said he expects there to be 130 employers total. The list of employers includes a few well-known names, such as AT&T, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Kraft Foods Global and the Peace Corps.
Froude said students may be tempted to gravitate toward the bigger companies, but speaking with employers students may not know is key, as well.
"Be open-minded," Froude said. "You might be pleasantly surprised."
During the past five years, Spring ICE has averaged 136 employers, according to Rick Hearin, director of the Office of Career Services.
"Last year, we had 183 (employers)," Hearin said. "A decrease of about 29 percent (from) where we were a year ago certainly suggests how the job market is tightening up. Nonetheless, 130 employers are coming into Oxford, Ohio."
Froude said it was also important to have companies representing many different job sectors, making Spring ICE open to all majors.
"We are really fortunate that we have a nice variety of employers coming to the fair," Froude aid.
While some employers welcome all majors, Froude said others will be looking for more specific fields.
In past years, Spring ICE has seen anywhere from 1,000 to 1,300 students, according to Hearin.
"I would expect we'd have upwards of about 1,200," Hearin said. "More students are aware that they are going to have to hustle for the positions that are available."
To prepare for the event, the Office of Career Services have set up a Web site filled with answers to frequently asked questions, a role-play video of how an interview at a career fair should go and a podcast full of advice from a Procter & Gamble recruiter. Students can log onto the site at www.muohio.edu/careers.
In addition to the Web site, the Office of Career Services will offer extended office hours, welcoming walk-ins for resume critiques from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 6, 9 and 10 in Hoyt Hall, according to Froude.
"Be sure to have an up-to-date resume," Froude said. "That will be an impression that the employer sees first."
To compliment the refurbished resume, Hearin and Froude said professional dress is necessary for the event.
In existence since 2001, Spring ICE has offered a nice alternative to the Fall Career Fair, which has been around since 1986, according to Hearin.
"It provides a lot of opportunities that you can't find elsewhere," junior Tom Hoffman said. "It brings in some great companies and gives students the opportunity to get their name known."
