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Whether they plan on graduating in December or May, this time of year causes students to begin considering their futures. Important decisions lay ahead and prospective graduates must work to ensure that they don’t get left out of the race into the professional world. For the proactive Bulldog there are several resources, including the MSU Career Center, available to help them start their post-graduate lives. The Career Center offers several ways for students to achieve success culminating in career fairs, which offer many lessons in addition to career opportunities.

“I had a little bit of tunnel vision before going to the career fair,” explained senior Dustin Black. “I had selected a few companies I was interested in, but getting here really opened my eyes. I didn’t realize there were so many companies looking for people from my major so this was a really good experience to allow me to see that.”

Black was just one of the many engineering students to take advantage of this semester’s career fair and its 105 visiting companies all seeking their next, great engineer. A mechanical engineering major, he was surprised to see how many firms, including aerospace specialists, who were interested in talking to him. One ambitious recruiter even plucked him from the crowd as he passed, not wanting him to escape without learning about her company.

“There were a lot of people at the career fair, so I was glad I went online with the career center and researched the companies,” Black said. “I had my résumé ready and quite a few people were eager to get a hold of it. I talked to a lot of people, shook a lot of hands and got several good leads.”

Although the career fair can help students develop contacts, it can be intimidating. For many students it is their first opportunity to speak with practicing professionals from their field, but in the labyrinth of displays and recruiters that overtook Humphrey Coliseum that day, it is easy to understand students’ senses of intimidation and feelings of being overwhelmed.

“The first time I went to the career fair it was a big shock. I didn’t realize there were going to be so many booths and people there,” explained Anna Rowley, a senior in biological engineering. “I was glad I wasn’t looking for a job yet so I was not nervous and was able to ask questions that I couldn’t in a real interview. This time around, since I had attended before, I was more comfortable. I knew what to expect and how to conduct myself.”

It is not uncommon for people to attend the fair multiple times. Like Rowley, many students find that going prior to their graduation semester helps ease their nerves and gives them an understanding of what traits recruiters hope to see in students, but in addition to simply gaining interview experience, Rowley suggest that students attend the career fair early in their college careers to learn what steps they can take to help make themselves more marketable.

“Someone who is willing to get a head–start, like with an internship or a co-op, is what employers hope to see,” Rowley said. “They like people who are personable and can understand their engineering lingo. So, even though I didn’t do an internship, I was able to impress recruiters by approaching them and asking questions”

The Career Center provides a list of career fair booths to all attendees, which shows what companies are represented and allows students to compose their thoughts before approaching recruiters. It is up to the student to ask informed questions and exhibit an understanding of their field and the professional world. As important as technical knowledge is, having a strong sense of self and passion for their future career will help students find companies that fit their personalities and goals.

“I know that in my career I want a job that will not only pay well, but keep my interest,” explained senior electrical engineering major, Darnisha Johnson. “I want to go to work because I like it and feel like I am making a difference. After so many years of school I know it’s time to make some decisions, but I know what I’m looking for and that helps.”

For more information about the next career fair or the Career Center visit their Web site at http://www.career.msstate.edu/ or contact interim director Scott Maynard at smaynard@career.msstate.edu. For information about engineering co-op opportunities contact Mike Mathews at mmathews@career.msstate.edu.