NMSU completed its 18th annual Career Connections Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 1, where students could discover opportunities for obtaining internships, co-ops and seasonal or regular employment. Companies and businesses across the state and nation set up booths on the third floor of Corbett Center Student Union to inform students of their brand, what they stand for and to offer applications.
The two-day event was coordinated by the Office of Experiential Learning and is known for successfully bringing together employers and students from all majors and graduate programs to mix and mingle about future career paths.
Recruitment remains the focus for DaVita Kidney Care, a provider of dialysis and other integrated healthcare services, as the company continues to battle the shortage of nurses happening across the nation.
“We’re here primarily looking for nurses, dietitians, social workers … but we do offer a whole lot more in terms of careers here at DaVita: I.T., business, communications, finance, marketing,” said DaVita dietitian Savannah Kirk.
According to Kirk, DaVita chose to attend the Career Connections Fair because NMSU offers both nursing and dietetics programs on campus.
Students attending the career fair typically undergo a check-in process upon arrival to identify their majors and to ensure they meet with companies aligned with their degree plans. Junior Emma Hood, an art major, said she was excited about the many positions being offered and the different professionals reaching out for connections.
“Well, being that I’m kind of in the creative side of things in art, I didn’t really look into the career fair … but after talking to employers, everyone wants a creative voice in some aspect or another,” Hood said. “I want to work for Vogue someday, so learning how to creatively affect a brand is useful to me.”
A common theme voiced among nearly all of the booths this year was that everyone needs employees. Still recovering from the pandemic, a full staff with an employee at every position is difficult to attain for many employers. This creates even more opportunity for students to find a job, as the corporate sector is relying on new applicants.
In addition, most businesses have needs for multiple functions within a company like human resources, public relations, advertising and marketing, which are also in demand. Even though one company’s mission may not fit a student’s degree, they could potentially have a position on their team that does.
If students were unable to attend this year’s Career Connections Fair, they can plan to attend the Office of Experiential Learning’s next event which will be the Employment Extravaganza. This event will be held on the first floor of Corbett Center Student Union from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 8, 2023.
