WARTBURG COLLEGE TO HOLD VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR

YIGIT KACMAZ, TRUMPET STAFF WRITER

Due to COVID-19, the Career and Internship Fair will take place online through the student employment site Handshake.

Jo Lynn Dorrance, the internship coordinator at Wartburg, and Derek Solheim, the director of Pathways, said they recommend students attend the fair despite its new format. Students who attend the fair not only can meet potential employers or potential internship sites but also help students understand if the path they’re taking is right for their future career, said Solheim.

It will run between Monday, Oct. 5 and Thursday, Oct. 8. The session for liberal arts, social sciences and humanities will take place from 11 a.m to 2 p.m on Oct. 5. The second fair is from 12-3 p.m. on Oct. 6 for STEM students, while the third one is the following day for graduate schools and volunteering programs from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Finally, the last virtual fair will take place from 12-3 p.m. on Oct. 8 for business and journalism and communication students. 

“We encourage first- and second-year students to participate in these expos because this is your chance to practice,” Dorrance said. “You do not want to have an interview for the job of your dreams and have it be your first interview, and then blow it. This is a way for you to practice.”

Although Wartburg College has never experienced a virtual fair before, Solheim said he is positive.

“It is so much easier for the employer and many times it is easier for the student because it does not require you to pay to travel somewhere,” Solheim said. 

Students who would like to take part in a career and internship virtual fair will have to register for the sessions. To register:

1. Log in to your Handshake account.

Wartburg College has just partnered with Handshake to give its students a wider selection of career and internship opportunities. You will have to first choose Wartburg College before you log in and then continue with entering your Wartburg e-mail and password. 

2. Personalize your account.

There are many sections to personalize your account, presented to you by Handshake. Enter your major, classes you took, what kind of jobs you are looking for, where you want to work, and your previous work experience for the algorithm to show your most feasible options.

3.  Register for the Career and Internship Virtual Fair.

Before you sign up for a session, you will have to register for the fair. The fair can be found under the events tab. There will be four different events held on four different days. You can sign up for as many as you want.

4. Check out the companies and institutions.

After you register for a fair, you will see that there are several companies, institutions, and employers that are willing to have an interview with students. Before you sign up to an interview, search them by either clicking on them or by doing your own research to get a clear idea.

5. Sign up for a session 

Most companies in this virtual fair offer two options for students to join. One is that you can join a 30-minute group session overview and Q&A, or you can sign up for a 10-minute individual session with the company during the assigned time.