Annual spring career fair to be held Wednesday

Representatives from about 75 companies will be on campus Wednesday for Career Services’ annual spring Career Fair, which will be held in the Thad Cochran Center from noon until 4 p.m. 

“It’s important because it connects employers and students,” said Rusty Anderson, director of Career Services at the University of Southern Mississippi. “The Career Fair creates learning opportunities for both parties.”

Anderson said the event benefits employers because they get to see what USM students have to offer, and students gain by learning about job and internship opportunities, as well as professional presentation skills.

Anderson added that business attire is suggested for all who plan on attending the career fair. 

“Students should dress to impress,” Anderson said. “A professional image is important.”

Jeans, sweatpants, tennis shoes and baseball hats are a few examples of clothing that has been deemed inappropriate for the event.

If a student required to go to the Career Fair for class is not dressed appropriately, Anderson said proof of attendance will not be given.

The event is open to all students, including those in graduate school. Anderson said interested sophomores could find potential internships, while seniors could start their job searches. Freshmen are encouraged to attend and explore opportunities.

“It’s a great way to build rapport with employers from semester to semester,” Anderson said. 

Though some companies may not take paper resumes and will require students to apply online, Anderson said it is not a bad idea to have resumes prepared before coming to the event. 

Anderson said between 1,200 and 1,300 typically attend the career fairs hosted in the spring and the fall.

For more information, including a list of employers scheduled to be at the Career Fair, visit www.usm.edu/career-services.